So by now you’ve heard there’s a lot of smoke around the Dallas Cowboys’ chances to trade up with the Cleveland Browns in the 2026 NFL Draft.

But is there merit to the idea? We asked A to Z Sports Cleveland’s Brandon Little and A to Z Sports Dallas’ Mauricio Rodriguez the most pressing questions on the scenario being mocked by many of the top draft insiders in the industry.

Below they break down each team’s motivations, potential targets, concerns, and more.

1. Why would the Browns and Cowboys do it?

Browns: The Browns need more premium talent, and in a draft that lacks it, why not get as many top-25 picks as possible? With Cleveland picking at No. 6, there may not be a true plug-and-play left tackle prospect who makes sense without it being a reach. The Browns could very well move back six spots and still select a similar-level player while significantly improving their second-round position into the first. Cleveland isn’t making the playoffs in 2026, so stacking as much young, premium talent as possible should be the priority. – Little.

Cowboys: It’s simple. The Cowboys may like their options at No. 12 and No. 20, but they believe in their offense. If they want to be contenders in 2026, adding a blue-chip defender is a viable strategy. They’re not going to find that outside of the Top 10 picks, though. In this scenario, however, they could.

2. Which prospect would the Browns be hoping for at No. 12?

Trading back to No. 12 could put the Browns in a comfortable spot for a wide receiver or one of several offensive tackles. USC wide receiver Makai Lemon is an attractive option here, as he would immediately upgrade the offense as a playmaker once the ball is in his hands. Carnell Tate is possibly gone by this point, and Lemon is the only other wideout I’d consider this early.

Cleveland could also be looking at offensive tackles like Caleb Lomu or Kadyn Proctor in this range. Both players need to develop in certain areas, but they bring solid foundations to build on as long-term answers at tackle. Lemon would be the preference, followed by Lomu and Proctor, who Cleveland appears to like a lot. – Little.

3. Who does Cleveland miss out on if they move back?

I’m all for the Browns staying put at No. 6 and taking the best wide receiver in the draft, Carnell Tate. There’s a chance he won’t be there, and I believe they should move back if that the case. If Tate is on the board at No. 6, he’d be a tough player to pass on because of the high floor he offers as a prospect.

Francisco Mauigoa and Spencer Fano are the top two offensive linemen Cleveland would likely have to pass on if they move out of the top 10. Both are plug-and-play options for the Browns, though neither is a lock to play left tackle, which remains the most glaring need. – Little

4. Who are the Cowboys moving up for?

At this moment, the odds-on favorite has to be LB Sonny Styles. For starters, he’s part of the recent smoke around the idea of Dallas moving up as McShay, Kiper Jr., and Brugler all have him penciled in to the Cowboys at No. 6 overall.

But what’s more is it fits. This would be an uncommonly aggressive move for the Cowboys. But Styles is not only one of the few blue-chip prospects of the class. He’s also a ready-to-play middle linebacker who could fill Dallas’ urgent need at the position.

If not Styles, someone else to watch for in this scenario is safety Caleb Downs from Ohio State. – Rodriguez

5. Who are potential targets at No. 39 for Dallas?

One of the best aspects of this potential trade is that the Cowboys would find similar talent at No. 39 overall than they would at No. 20. There are many prospects that would make sense but here is a Top 5 rundown of prospects they’d likely consider with their new second-round pick:

• CB Keionte Scott, Miami: A Top 30 visit for Dallas, Scott’s 4.33-second 40 yard dash makes him an enticing project for the Cowboys. He can be the versatile slot corner Dallas wants.
• CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina: Though he has a lean frame, Cisse is a man-coverage specialist who could be tremendous value at No. 39 overall.
• CB Colton Hood, Tennessee: Another Cowboys Top-30 visit, Hood is considered one of the corners with the highest floors on this class.
• EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M: As a rookie, Howell would be a perfect pass situation edge rusher thanks to his speed. He’s not a complete defender as of today but in the second round he makes sense.
• EDGE Malachi Lawrence, Missouri: Another explosive pass rusher, questions exist about his play strength and age (soon to be 23 years old). However, he has upside thanks to his build and can carve out a pass rushing role early on. – Rodriguez