A week away from the 2026 NFL Draft, it feels like trade up or bust for the Dallas Cowboys.

Rumors are heating up around a potential trade up with Cleveland Browns, who are slated to pick No. 6 overall. If they do, what will that look like? I fired up the A to Z Sports’ draft simulator to game it out.

Three-round Cowboys mock draft

Round 1, Pick No. 6 overall: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

(TRADE: Cowboys get No. 6 overall and No. 39 overall, Browns get No. 12 overall, No. 20 overall and a 2027 third-round pick)

If the Cowboys move up in the draft, it makes sense to do so for Styles, who is one of the few blue-chip defenders in the class and who is a fix for the team’s most pressing need. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said earlier in the year some rookies he’d feel comfortable with rocking the green dot.

Based on Styles’ high football IQ, consistent tackling, and his elite change of direction, I’m betting he’s one of them.

Round 2, Pick No. 39 overall: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee

At No. 39 overall, Hood would be tremendous value for the Cowboys. He’s a physical cornerback with a specialization in man coverage. That doesn’t mean he can’t play zone, where he displays a high football IQ.

For many, one of the best things about Hood is that he has a high floor, meaning he can make an impact as a starter early on. In this scenario, the Cowboys get a starter in the backend after securing one on the front seven at No. 6 overall.

The Cowboys would likely consider Hood at No. 20 overall should they stick there. At 39, he’s even better.

Round 3, Pick No. 92 overall: S Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina

Kilgore comes with plenty of experience with him. He started 33 games in three years in college and finished his career with eight interceptions. At 6-foot-1 and with a 4.40-second 40 yard dash, he scored a 81.9 in our athletic composite score at A to Z Sports.

With experience in the slot and film that backs him up as a solid run defender, he could compete for a starting spot at nickel on Christian Parker’s new scheme.

Final thoughts

This mock draft shows why it would be smart business for the Cowboys to trade up with the Browns. Moving from No. 20 to No. 39 is far from the worst thing in the world. The talent they’ll find early in the second isn’t much worse than what they’ll find at No. 20.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys get a true game-changing defender in Styles to finally do something about the linebacker position. Losing a third-round pick in 2027 hurts, but it’s the kind of risk you take if you believe you’re in a win-now position.