The Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys may have opposite priorities in terms of their positions in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday the Browns “are already taking calls about the No. 6 pick” and could trade back. The Cowboys, on the other hand, could trade up from No. 12, though they’re reticent to give up their other first-rounder (No. 20).
Schefter presented a scenario where Ohio State edge-rusher/linebacker Arvell Reese or Texas Tech edge-rusher David Bailey is still available when the New York Giants are on the clock with the fifth pick. Dallas could be aggressive and see either as the true successor to Micah Parsons on the edge.
That echoes reporting The MMQB’s Albert Breer, who said Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles is another prospective target:
“The Cowboys have at least explored a move up the board, and early buzz suggested it would be for Reese, who’d fit the old Micah Parsons role in the defense, with flexibility to toggle an off-the-ball position to the edge. But recent evidence points to multiple Buckeyes targets for Dallas, with the Cowboys still poking around potential veteran trade options at inside linebacker, leading to the belief that Styles could be in their sights as well.”
In general, Schefter said that “more teams want to trade down than up this year,” which aligns with the general opinions of the 2026 draft class. There simply aren’t that many prospects who are considered major difference-makers compared to most years, and it’s a particularly bad draft for quarterbacks.
That could hinder the efforts of the Browns or anybody else who wants to move out of the top 10 and accumulate more picks.
Draft-day deals are going to happen. The biggest one may have already arrived, though, with the Cincinnati Bengals giving up the 10th overall pick to get defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
