The Dallas Cowboys are entering the 2026 NFL Draft with expectations to meet their defensive roster needs. While mock drafts and top-30 visits have offered hints, the Dallas Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones made it clear that nothing is set in stone.

Jones, during his appearance on 105.3 The Fan, discussed the chance of the Cowboys indulging in a trade this April.

"It's still a little early. Usually, we're in that 16-to-22 range," Jones said on April 14. "I don’t know that we’ll get there this year in terms of the 20s, but we’re grinding out right now, and we haven’t put the final grades on anything."

While Stephen Jones acknowledged the Cowboys usually see only about 16 to 22 players as truly worthy of first-round picks heading into draft week, he was careful not to reveal too much about the team's specific targets or approach heading into the first round.

While trading up is being projected, other analysts also suggest that keeping the No.12 pick will give the Cowboys plenty of flexibility. 

“Assuming the top defenders go early, the best players available at No. 12 could include Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor, Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy, and Auburn edge Keldric Faulk. McCoy is arguably the top CB in the class, but he doesn't appear to be on the Cowboys' radar due to medical concerns”, per TheLandryHat.

And Akheem Mesidor of the Miami Hurricanes has been projected by ESPN analyst Peter Schrager as a top target for the No.20 pick, giving Dallas a viable option if they stay put.

At the same time, the Cowboys have multiple paths to choose from if they decide to trade up, with teams ahead of them potentially open to trade deals.

Trade-Up Scenarios for the Dallas Cowboys

Multiple mock drafts continue to link the Cowboys with a potential move up from No. 12 to No. 6, with Ohio State Buckeyes Sonny Styles emerging as a popular target.

Analysts consistently point to the Cleveland Browns as the most logical trade partner in that scenario.

Mel Kiper Jr. and Dane Brugler project that Dallas would send both their first-round picks - No.12 and No.20 to move up. And that way, the Boys would receive a No.6 and No.39 in return from Cleveland.

Meanwhile, Todd McShay also projects a similar trade with the Browns. Per McShay, the Cowboys could package No.12 with a third rounder and a 2027 second rounder to climb to No.6 without giving up No.20.

Other defensive prospects like Rueben Bain Jr., David Bailey, and Arvell Reese have been mentioned as alternatives. But the consistent theme across projections is clear: Styles remains the primary target.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

Read more on the Dallas Cowboys Community.

Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore