The Dallas Cowboys own the 12th and 20th overall picks in the first round of the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. Rumors have been swirling that they may be interested in trading up, potentially by packaging their current selections.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz recently reported that, theoretically, jumping ahead of one of their NFC East rivals in the draft order is apparently a part of their motivation to do so.
Cowboys’ Rumored Interest in Trading Up in 2026 NFL Draft Has Multiple Potential Benefits
The Cowboys’ 12th pick in the draft this year comes as a result of their disappointing season, while their 20th overall pick came from the Green Bay Packers in the Micah Parsons trade. Having two first-round picks is a luxury that presents several strategic options, including potentially packaging them together to try to trade up higher.
Schultz recently addressed the swirling rumors that the Cowboys plan to explore this option in pursuit of one of the top overall prospects in this year’s draft class. He also described that picking before their NFC East rivals would be another added bonus if they were able to make a big move.
“There’s a belief among teams at the top of the draft that the Cowboys, who have picks at #12 and #20, are a team to watch in trade-up scenarios, according to multiple league sources,” Schultz wrote on X. “Several teams have said they believe Dallas is targeting a player the Giants also covet, and getting ahead of them would be ideal if the price makes sense.”
There’s a belief among teams at the top of the draft that the #Cowboys, who have picks at #12 and #20, are a team to watch in trade-up scenarios, according to multiple league sources.
Several teams have said they believe Dallas is targeting a player the #Giants also covet, and… pic.twitter.com/9C32GqBSkS
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 14, 2026
The New York Giants currently own the fifth overall pick in the draft, so Jerry Jones would need to make a bold move if he wants to jump ahead of them.
Moving up eight spots in the first half of the first round is an expensive proposition. For example, the Jacksonville Jaguars moved up three spots from fifth to second last year and sent the Cleveland Browns significant draft capital to do so, including a future first-round pick.
The Cowboys’ rumored interest stems from the Giants’ potential target being the preferred prospect Dallas wants. If Jones can get ahead of them, he not only can land his preferred player, but he would also theoretically steal him from New York.
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This would mean that instead of facing off against this prospect, which they are high on twice a year as a result of being in the same division, the roles would flip. They can instead use this player in those matchups against the Giants, as both pursue a division title.
According to PFSN’s Defense Impact Metric, Dallas had the worst defense in the league last season with an impact score of 62.1. As a result, they could be eyeing up a trade for a player like Sonny Styles, who fills a position of need on their team.
