It looks like the cat is out of the bag on the Dallas Cowboys’ first-round plans in the 2026 NFL Draft
The biggest names in the NFL Draft media industry are on the same page regarding the Dallas Cowboys’ first-round plans as they’re projecting the same trade and the same pick for America’s Team.
Before we begin, an obvious disclaimer: No one really knows what the Dallas Cowboys will do in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. But based on the latest three mock drafts from the most respected analysts in the industry, insiders coincide with them trading up to the same pick.
That’s no small thing, as mock drafts from these guys are always based on what they’re hearing and not just their personal opinions on the players available. In other words, there’s legit smoke on the Cowboys moving up in the draft order.
Top draft insiders coincide with Cowboys trading up to No. 6 overall
Three of the biggest NFL Draft insiders/analysts in media published brand new mock drafts on Wednesday; Todd McShay (The Ringer), Mel Kiper Jr. (ESPN), and Dane Brugler (The Athletic and The Beast author).
All three of them had the Cowboys trading up to No. 6 overall, which currently belongs to the Cleveland Browns. And all three of them had Dallas select the same player: LB Sonny Styles, out of Ohio State.
Styles is considered one of the best prospects of the year despite positional value questions. A former safety, he’s a high-IQ defender and a surefire tackler with elite change of direction. At 6-foot-5, he’s also able to hang with receivers and tight ends in coverage. He would be a Day 1 starter at middle linebacker for Dallas.
The mocks follow a report from Jordan Schultz indicating that multiple sources around the league labeled the Cowboys a team to watch in trade up scenarios. Albert Breer, Ian Rapoport, and other insiders have also pointed to Dallas as a candidate to move up.
Mock trade offers mostly coincide
The trade packages vary per mock, but Kiper Jr. and Brugler both have the Cowboys and Browns swapping picks in the first two rounds (Cowboys get No. 6 and No. 39 while Browns get No. 12 and No. 20) as part of them.
But, Todd McShay takes a different approach in his mock. Notably, his mock trade offer has Cowboys keeping No. 20 overall.
- Cowboys get: No. 6 overall
- Browns get: No. 12 overall, No. 92 overall (third round), 2027 second-round pick
Why all of this checks out for the Cowboys
A quick glance at the linebacker room in Dallas should be enough: Other than DeMarvion Overshown, the group includes second-year Justin Barron (a former UDFA) and second-year Shemar James (2025 fifth-round pick). Marist Liufau is expected to move to EDGE under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
Even if the Cowboys are bullish on James or Barron, betting on them to become a impactful starters in 2026 would be irresponsible. Their need at linebacker is as urgent as it gets.
They have publicly admitted they tried to land big-name free agents at linebackers (reports indicate they missed out Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker, and Devin Lloyd). After Styles, the linebacker group of this class takes a big hit.
In the Consensus Big Board, Styles ranks as the 6th best prospect. The next linebacker ranks 34th. In A to Z Sports’ board available in our mock draft simulator, Styles is 5th with C.J. Allen (Georgia) joining him at 33rd as the only other LB in the Top 50.
The last time the Cowboys traded up in the first round of the draft was 2012. They don’t like doing so. But now, they need to. We’ll find out if the rumors become reality a week from now.