The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2026 NFL draft with eight picks, primarily expected to focus on defense. And now with the team speculated to trade up, many analysts are urging Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, against it, especially a former NFL quarterback. 

Dan Orlovsky, a former quarterback of the Detroit Lions who was vocal about being disappointed with Micah Parsons' trade previously, has spoken against a possible Jerry Jones move to trade up.

Dan Orlovsky posted on his X account, tagging Paul Hembo, the content producer of the Pat McAfee show.

“Given how well @dallascowboys drafts - their fans should be praying Jerry doesn’t get greedy. If they pick at 12 and 20, history says they’ll get one great player and another good one." Orlovsky noted.

Though neither pick is in the single digits for the franchise, the quarterback thinks that they can pick up some value players with two picks in the top 20.

"They drafted DeMarcus Ware at 11. Dez Bryant at 24. Zack Martin at 16. CeeDee Lamb at 17. Micah Parsons at 12. No, don't trade up. @PaulHembo,” Orlovsky's X post further read.

The Cowboys have a history of picking the best options in the first round, as mentioned by Orlovsky.

They had Tyler Smith at No. 24 in 2022, Micah Parsons at No. 12 in 2021, CeeDee Lamb at No. 17 in 2020, Zack Martin at No. 16 in 2014, DeMarcus Ware at No. 11 in 2005, Dez Bryant at No. 24 in 2010, and notably more, per ProFootballNetwork. 

So far, Jerry Jones has kept his options open and was vocal about the same when questioned about it during the Annual NFL Owners Meeting earlier this year. 

“I’ve looked at that mirror a lot, about how to go up and down and trade and do those kinds of things,” Jones said via the team’s official website.

For a while now, analysts have suggested that the Cowboys trade up with the Cleveland Browns for a better top-10 pick.

“Absolutely. We’ll entertain improving or an in-draft read on what gives us a better chance to get another player, and still have our pick and the red meat of top players", Jones added.

At the end of the day, it is anyone's guess whether the Cowboys will trade up with other teams to get their potential pick that meets their defensive needs.

Cowboys' Projected Trade-Up Options

The most projected draft by analysts, Mel Kiper Jr., Todd McShay, and Dane Brugler are for the Cowboys to move up to No.6 by trading with the Cleveland Browns.

The Cowboys would package their No. 12 and No. 20 picks and get No. 6 and No. 39 instead, resulting in a chance to draft Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles.

But the surprising deal between the New York Giants and the Cincinnati Bengals for a No. 10 (trading Dexter Lawrence) may put these plans on hold

The Giants are now also projected to draft Styles, and with two first-round picks with them: Nos. 5 & 10.

This could effectively shut the door on Dallas’ trade-up plans, forcing the Cowboys to pivot to alternate defensive targets or rethink their draft strategy altogether.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote