NFL insider identifies two first-round targets the Dallas Cowboys may trade up for during 2026 NFL Draft

The Dallas Cowboys are believed to be considering moving up in the 2026 NFL Draft. An ESPN insider is pinpointing two prospects who could make them think it’s worth it.

Mauricio Rodriguez — Dallas Cowboys News Writer
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Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) leaves the field following the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas for the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against the Miami Hurricanes on Dec. 31, 2025. Ohio State lost 24-14.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) leaves the field following the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas for the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against the Miami Hurricanes on Dec. 31, 2025. Ohio State lost 24-14. Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

2012.

That’s the last time the Dallas Cowboys traded up in the first round of the NFL Draft. And yet, they’re considered strong candidates to move up in this year’s draft. That’s due to three reasons:

  1. The Cowboys have two first-round picks, giving them the ammo to get creative.
  2. They’re in desperate need of a difference-maker on defense.
  3. This year’s draft class is considered very top heavy. Moving into the Top 10 is almost a requirement to land the right prospect.

So what if they do trade up? Who is the right prospect for them? An NFL insider just pinpointed two names.

Two prospects the Cowboys would move up for

In a recent article discussing several nugget of draft intel, ESPN insider Jordan Reid revealed two prospects “believed” to be on the Cowboys’ radar as immediate contributors.

“Trading up continues to be a possibility, especially if there’s a player they have high on their board who backslides a tad,” Reid wrote. “Safety Caleb Downs (Ohio State) and edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami) are believed to be players whom the Cowboys would maneuver for, as Dallas reportedly sees both as instant-impact game changers on defense.”

Two big takeaways there. Firstly, Caleb Downs being on the list is significant, as safeties are commonly undervalued by the NFL—and many would question moving up for one. But Downs is not your regular safety prospect. He’s a game-changer defender against the run and in coverage. Plus, he comes with undeniable leadership.

Secondly, he and EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. are not likely to be the prospects you need to move up to No. 3 overall for. Instead, it’s fair to assume the Cowboys could flirt with the idea of moving up to the 6-8 range.

Important note on Reid’s reporting

A key disclaimer here is that Reid isn’t excluding other prospects as players the Cowboys could move up for. Recently, I ranked who I considered to be the likeliest players Dallas would move up for:

  1. EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech
  2. LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
  3. EDGE Arvell Reese, Ohio State
  4. S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
  5. CB Mansoor Delane

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