With every passing hour, it has seemingly become more likely that the Dallas Cowboys will move up in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft. The Cowboys desperately need an impact player on defense, and the odds of that player falling to No. 12 seem unrealistic.
The good news for Dallas is that there are a handful of teams that might want to trade back inside of the top-10 picks, and it might not cost as much as it typically does to go up in Round 1.
So, who are the teams that might consider moving back to No. 12? And what would a potential trade look like? Here are three trades the Cowboys could consider exploring during the 2026 NFL Draft:
3 teams the Dallas Cowboys could trade up with in 2026 NFL Draft
Tennessee Titans: No. 4 overall
Potential Targets: Arvell Reese, David Bailey
The Titans are an obvious trade-up candidate for Dallas if Arvell Reese or David Bailey are still on the board. Both would project as Day 1 EDGE rushers and would give the Cowboys the positional value that they would be hunting in a big trade up like this.
But for one of these players to fall to No. 4, the Cardinals would need to take either Sonny Styles or an offensive lineman at No. 3. That feels somewhat likely, especially given their need for a right tackle.
The Titans need receiver help but might not feel like there is one worth taking at No. 4. So a trade back to No. 12 would allow them to target someone like Makai Lemon and add another first-round pick to their arsenal.
But the only way this trade would make sense for Dallas is if they could get pick No. 66, which would still leave them with three picks on the first two days of the draft. If the Titans aren’t willing to surrender that pick, it’s hard to see a deal getting done.
Potential Trade: Titans trade No. 4 and No. 66 to Cowboys for No. 12, No. 20, and No. 152
Cleveland Browns: No. 6 overall
Potential Targets: David Bailey, Sonny Styles, Mansoor Delane
Andrew Berry trades down more often than any other general manager in the NFL, and it would be somewhat of a shock if he didn’t do it again this year. He traded back from No. 2 to No. 5 last year and picked up an extra first-round pick in 2026 from Jacksonville. Don’t be surprised if he tries to do it again this year, especially given their needs on offense.
The Browns are in the market for a left tackle and a receiver, but they might not feel like there is one worthy of selecting at this spot. A small trade-back to No. 12 could put players like Makai Lemon and Monroe Freeling on their radar and would give them more picks in the first round. Cleveland would also own three picks inside the top-25, which would give them plenty of ammunition to address their needs on offense.
For the Cowboys, flipping picks No. 12 and No. 20 (and maybe more) for No. 6 and No. 39 would be ideal, especially if they could secure a top-four player on their board. Dallas might be willing to give up even more if Bailey fell to this spot, but Styles and Delane would be worthy targets.
Potential Trade: Browns trade No. 6 and No. 39 to Cowboys for No. 12, No. 20, and No. 152
Kansas City Chiefs: No. 9 overall
Potential Targets: Mansoor Delane, Caleb Downs
If the Cowboys are unable to secure a trade into the top six, don’t rule out the Chiefs as a potential trade-down target. The Bengals (pick No. 10) have many of the same needs as Dallas and would likely take the best defensive back on the board.
The Chiefs could do something similar, but they have more needs on offense (WR, TE, OL) and might be willing to drop down a few spots for the right price.
Assuming Dallas doesn’t want the added stress of hoping that Downs or Delane fall past the Bengals and Dolphins, a small trade-up could certainly be an option. Would the Chiefs be willing to move back a few spots for a third-round pick (No. 92)? If the answer is yes, this would be a home run trade for the Cowboys, as they could secure an elite player for their secondary AND keep pick No. 20 to build out the rest of their defense.
Potential Trade: Chiefs trade pick No. 9 to Cowboys for No. 12 and No. 92
