The Dallas Cowboys could be huge winners from latest NFL blockbuster trade without even participating in it
The Dallas Cowboys’ chances of landing a top defensive back in the 2026 NFL Draft just improved.
The NFL got hit with a pretty massive trade on Tuesday morning when the Miami Dolphins sent wide receiver Jayden Waddle to the Denver Broncos. And while that move has nothing to do with the Dallas Cowboys, they stand to benefit from it a lot.
And no, before you even think about it, I’m not talking about how Waddle being dealt for more than a first-round pick impacts the value of Cowboys WR George Pickens.
Instead, I’m talking about how the Dolphins’ trade could impact who the Cowboys pick at No. 12 overall come the 2026 NFL Draft.
Cowboys have a better chance of landing top CB
Here’s the thing: We know the Cowboys need a cornerback and we know Mansoor Delane from LSU would make a lot of sense with their first pick of the draft.
Unfortunately, we know many other teams are probably thinking the same. That includes the Dolphins, who are often linked to Delane and other cornerbacks because they need to upgrade the secondary. In many mock drafts, you can see the Dolphins destroying the Cowboys’ hopes of picking Delane because Miami is on the way exactly one pick earlier.
However, on the heels of signing QB Malik Davis, getting rid of Waddle just created a huge roster hole at wide receiver. Considering the Dolphins have signed multiple defensive backs and that former Cowboy Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell are currently in line to be their top receiver, I don’t know how they could pass on a WR in the first.
Specially because they have a legit chance at having their pick of the best WR in this year’s class. If they do, that would be one less landing spot for Delane prior to the Cowboys’ pick.
Delane’s stock is on fire, though
Now granted, the Dolphins could still stick to their board and take whoever they consider the best prospect regardless of position. And Delane is a heck of a football player who can play sticky coverage in both zone and man. But even if they do prioritize a WR, many other teams could steal Delane.
Delane is an option for the New York Giants at No. 5 overall, according to insider Dan Duggan. Mel Kiper Jr. just mocked him to the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 10. So no, the Cowboys aren’t out of the weeds just yet.
But the Dolphins just created a big need that could steer them clear from anything other than a wide receiver. That’s a win on my book.