The path for the Dallas Cowboys in the 2026 NFL draft appears to be set; the team is expected to trade up from the 12th overall selection to select their preferred best defensive player on the board. The cost is likely to be both the Cowboys’ first round picks, at 12 and 20.
That’s the most anticipated plan for Jerry Jones and his organization, unless it’s not. Amidst most draft analysts reporting the Cowboys’ desire to trade up in the draft, there is an outlier who doesn’t believe the team will choose that path. Yahoo! Sports’ Charles Robinson is zigging while other reporters are zagging regarding the Cowboys trading up in the draft.
The great @CharlesRobinson isn’t buying the Cowboys trading 12 & 20 to move up into the Top 10
“I talked to someone in Dallas. Those two 1st round picks, they feel like they can get contributing players for 2026. They feel good about getting 2 players”https://t.co/Q1jzo9OSFzpic.twitter.com/2zdpRZ19fj
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) April 16, 2026
Robinson says he spoke to someone in Dallas and “did not get the sense” they were willing to trade up, believing the team can get contributing players with both of their first-round selections. This is an eye-opening observation in a week full of reports about the team wanting to move up to draft one of Ohio St. elite defensive prospects, cornerback Caleb Downs or linebacker Sonny Styles.
There have been several reports about the Cowboys being the team most likely to trade up, and the Cleveland Browns are the team most willing to swap. In the widely proposed deal, Dallas sends picks 12 and 20 to the Browns for the sixth pick overall, and the 39th pick, which is in the second round. That would give the Cowboys a chance at a difference maker on defense, something not guaranteed with the 12th pick.
While this trade, and others suggested like it, looks good on paper, there are a few reasons not to make the deal. If the Cowboys and Browns were to agree on this trade, Dallas gets the better end of the deal on draft points trade chart by 60 pts (2110 to 2050). That prompts the question, why would Cleveland want to lose the opportunity to draft the better player while losing value in the swap?
There are other motives for the Cowboys not wanting to trade both of their first-round picks.
As Robinson points out, the Cowboys have a lot of defensive needs and only selecting one potential starter early in the draft doesn’t help the team enough in 2026. Jones has spoken about needing impact players right away and not having time for redshirt rookie seasons, so having more first-round picks is a better way to rebuild the defense.
Another reason for sticking with having two selections in the first round is to keep the fifth-year options on two potential starters. The Cowboys are notorious for having contract issues, and one way to keep them from having to go to the bargaining table too early is to have the fifth-year option at their disposal.
For a team that LOVES having control of a player, hard to see them giving up 2 firsts for only 1…a deal with the Chiefs might make more sense https://t.co/hhu8Bd2Q7Z
— Ben Grimaldi (@BenTalksCowboys) April 13, 2026
Giving up a first-round pick with at least five years of control for a second-round selection who can get to free agency quicker is not the preferred Jones tactic. Trading up and maintaining two first round selections with fifth-year options feels more likely.
This has been one of the more fascinating draft cycles for the Cowboys, where the rumor mill feels like it’s been more out of control than in recent memory. But most of the reports have all gone one way, with the Cowboys trading up, until now.
There’s still another week to go in the ‘will they or won’t they (trade up)’ saga; this is just another chapter in life of a Dallas Cowboys fan. Just the way Jerry Jones likes it.
Are we having fun yet?
You can chat with or follow Ben on twitter @BenTalksCowboys and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: NFL analyst refutes reports about Cowboys trading up in the 2026 draft
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