The NFL’s free agency frenzy has come and gone and the Dallas Cowboys have yet to bust the budget. With most of the available free agents being relatively cheap options, it’s unlikely they will any time soon.

But for those who want to hold out hope, the Cowboys could bust the budget in a different way come this year’s draft. With two first-round picks to their name, the Cowboys could be enticed to do something they haven’t in over ten years: Trade up in the first round.

And there’s one specific scenario that makes almost too much sense for two teams. Today we’re breaking it down with some insight behind enemy lines. Let’s dive in.

Trading with the Browns makes too much sense

If the Cowboys trade up in the first round, it should be in an attempt to secure a difference-making defender to help turn around one of the worst defenses in the NFL. A few worthy prospects are LB Sonny Styles (Ohio State), CB Mansoor Delane (LSU), EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami).

To get them, trading up to No. 6 is a great option. The Cleveland Browns own a couple of Top 40 picks, giving both teams plenty of room to maneuver. Below is my proposal—which I’ve also seen floated around and debated on social media.

• Cowboys get:
  • Pick No. 6 overall
  • Pick No. 39 overall (second round)
• Browns get:
  • Pick No. 12 overall
  • Pick No. 20 overall

The above deal is pretty even according to the Rich Hill trade chart, with the Browns slightly getting more value (616 to 599 points).

For Cleveland, the premise is simple: Get two Top 20 picks while moving down six spots in the first.

For the Cowboys, it’s all about securing a chance to select one of the few elite defenders of this year’s class, which is considered by many analysts as not top-heavy.

What the Cowboys did right in free agency was add solid contributors at the defensive line and the secondary. With EDGE Rashan Gary, cornerback Cobie Durant, and safeties Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke, the Dallas defense added four potential starters.

What it needs now is someone who moves the needle. Moving down to the second round may be worth it to get a good shot at No. 6 overall.

Does it make sense for the Browns?

It’s easy to get excited about a trade idea by looking only at one side of it. But would the Browns entertain this? I asked our own Brandon Little from A to Z Sports Cleveland. His answer makes this pitch make almost too much sense.

“The Browns’ biggest need is at quarterback and winning the last two games of the regular season put them outside of the reach of Fernando Mendoza,” Little says. “With the team unbroken to take any other quarterback high in the draft, the Browns must focus on nailing other needs, or potentially drafting the best available to stock talent. Following the thick of free agency, the Browns’ biggest needs are left tackle and wide receiver.

“Cleveland very well could stay out at No. 6 and take Ohio State WR Carnell Tate, I think that’s what they should do unless a trade arises that makes sense. The offer from Dallas makes sense for Cleveland and it’s one I would do in a second to give Cleveland three first-round picks.

“Right off the bat at No. 12, the Browns should be in a spot to draft the left tackle with the highest ceiling in the class, Georgia’s Monroe Freeling. Freeling is a bit raw with not a ton of football played and likely would have been a top-five pick next season if he had gone back. The Browns can feel better about taking him at 12 rather than slightly reaching at No. 6, it’s as simple as that. 

“From there, picks No. 20 and No. 24 give the Browns a chance to add one wide receiver, potentially two if they really want to. Undoubtedly, there will be at least a couple of the following wide receivers in the mix there; Makai Lemon, Denzel Boston, K.C. Concepcion, Omar Cooper Jr., and Chris Bell. 

“Cleveland isn’t competing in 2026, but if all goes according to plan they could be a real force by the 2027 season. The Browns need to figure out a quarterback, and everything else should fall into place. A trade back with the Cowboys could speed up where the team is going.”

If the Browns front office feels the same way Little does, the only question remaining is, who could make the Cowboys feel like a deal is worth it? We may just find out next month.