The Dallas Cowboys are widely viewed as a team that could make a trade up in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and more specifically, from their No. 12 overall pick.

It’s something Dallas should definitely consider given how badly the team needs impact players on defense. And, with a pair of first-round picks, the Cowboys can make a giant leap up, too.

But which teams would be willing to move back to allow Dallas to grab a player it covets? Well, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer has just listed them for us.

Breer is reporting that the teams in the Nos. 3-7 picks are looking to move back for more draft capital. That list includes the Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders.

“Teams picking behind the Jets are looking to move down,” Breer revealed. “Count the Cardinals, Titans, Giants, Browns and Commanders among those already looking at trying to drop down in the order to accumulate capital. The problem for those five is finding teams to move up.”

Who could Cowboys move up for?

Breer goes on to note that he believes there are two players who could force a team to strike a deal for one of those five picks: Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese (or Texas Tech’s David Bailey if the Jets take Reese) and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.

Of course, Reese is one player the Cowboys would likely move up for if given the opportunity, but it would take a gigantic and costly leap. Assuming Dallas would have to move all the way up to No. 3, which is very likely, that move would cost Dallas two first-round picks and then some.

The “and then some” part might sound crazy, but if we’re going off the NFL Draft Trade Value Chart, Dallas’ two first-round picks are worth 2,050 points and Arizona’s No. 3 pick is worth 2,200 points. On top of closing that gap, the Cowboys might have to pay even more to convince a rebuilding team to move down that far.

We just don’t see all that happening, especially when you consider the Cowboys don’t have a second-round pick and might not be able to keep their third-rounder because of this trade.

Cowboys’ trade-up starting point is No. 4

There is a sizeable 400-point difference between the No. 3 and No. 4 picks, so the latter is the most realistic starting point for the Cowboys when it comes to a trade up.

We would probably rule out a trade up with the New York Giants and Washington Commanders because of the whole division rival thing, so cancel out Nos. 5 and 7 as possibilities. That leaves us with Nos. 4 (Titans) and No. 6 (Browns).

Dallas could swing a deal with the Titans that would still give up their first-round picks but the Cowboys can get back the No. 4 selection (1,800 points) and the No. 66 pick (third round, 260 points).

In that scenario, at least the Cowboys get something back beyond the pick they’re moving up for, and more importantly it’s a second Day 2 pick that Dallas doesn’t currently own. Having a pair of third-round picks will also give the Cowboys a chance to move back up into Round 2.

We’re also intrigued by a trade with the Browns because Dallas can get Cleveland’s No. 6 pick and its early second-round pick for its two first-rounders in a trade that is just a 50-point advantage for Cleveland. That would put the Cowboys in the second round.

Now, we need to talk about who the Cowboys would be trading up for in those spots. If Reese or Bailey are available at No. 4, we are making the move up. Styles is another possibility at four, but we would feel more comfortable with him at six. Unfortunately, the Ohio State product doesn’t have a good chance to still be available in that spot.

If the Cowboys can’t get their hands on one of those three players, we would not anticipate them trading up for someone else, but never say never in the NFL Draft.

Whether it’s with one of their two first-round picks, via trade or in free agency, the Mavs have to add someone who can lighten Cooper Flagg’s offensive workload. He spent way more time on-ball than expected, and while his self-creation around the basket is impressive, he’ll be best served on a roster that can tap into more of his play-finishing.

Counting on Kyrie Irving isn’t good enough. He is 34 and working his way back from an ACL injury. Dallas needs a short- and long-term alternative.

Addressing the issue in the draft would be ideal, if only because an inbound rookie fits the Flagg window. But that route depends on where the Mavs land in the lottery. They could jump up to AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson territory, end up in range of Darius Acuff Jr. or Kingston Flemings or miss out on all four. 

Free agency probably doesn’t hold the answer. Dallas will most likely wind up operating over the cap and have the non-taxpayer’s mid-level exception ($15 million). That doesn’t get you in the door for Austin Reaves, while contingencies like Collin Sexton and Ayo Dosunmu aren’t Plan A material. 

Coby White could be interesting if he leaves Charlotte. Otherwise, trade targets who won’t fetch the moon should be the Mavs’ jam: Cam Spencer, Tre Jones, T.J. McConnell, Ty Jerome, Dejounte Murray, etc. If the new front office wants to swing higher, but not too high, Ryan Rollins and Tyler Herro are worth keeping on the radar.

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer recently expressed confidence in the young running backs on the Dallas Cowboys roster.

Dallas has plenty of faith in Javonte Williams, who signed a three-year $24 million deal after running for 1,210 yards in his first season with the franchise. Behind him, however, there’s no proven option.

Malik Davis was their top reserve in 2025, rushing for 250 yards. They also have Jaydon Blue, who was inactive for 12 games, and Phil Mafah who played in the finale after spending the majority of the year on the IR. While Schottenheimer claims he has faith in them, the Cowboys should still look for more depth in the 2026 NFL draft.

Javonte Williams’ injury history should be taken into account

One of the primary reasons the Cowboys need a backup capable of stepping up is Williams’ injury history. Williams struggled with health during his tenure with the Denver Broncos, even admitting he thought his career could be in doubt following a significant knee injury in 2022.

In Dallas, he stayed relatively healthy, playing in 16 games. That said, a shoulder injury did slow him down as the season went along. Williams had to leave during their Week 17 win over the Washington Commanders, then sat out the season finale due to the injury.

Keeping him fresh would be key to success down the stretch, which is why the Cowboys need someone on the roster who can take some of the weight off of Williams.

Which running backs make sense for the Cowboys?

The good news is that Dallas doesn’t need to use an early pick on a running back. They can find someone who can contribute on Day 3, and they’ve shown interest in a couple of backs.

Dallas sent running backs coach Derrick Foster to Wake Forest’s Pro Day where he watched Demond Claiborne run his drills. While Foster was at Wake Forest, assistant running backs coach Jamel Mutunga attended Emmett Johnson’s Pro Day for Nebraska.

At 188 pounds, Claiborne is a potential scat back with breakaway speed whereas Johnson would be a more traditional RB2 for Dallas. The 202-pounder is known for his consistency and while he won’t break many big runs, he can move the chains.

Our own Mike Moraitis identified an under-the-radar option in Kentucky’s Seth McGowan. Another potential Day 3 pick, McGowan is a 223-pounder who not only does the dirty work between the tackles, but is a decent option in the passing game as well.

The Cowboys could improve their backfield with any of these three selections, without using a premium pick. What they shouldn’t do, however, is bank on unproven players at such a key position.

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