There are reportedly more teams trying to trade down in the 2026 NFL Draft than are trying to trade up. One of the teams potentially moving up, though, is Brian Schottenheimer’s Dallas Cowboys.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler floated that concept again on social media Saturday morning. In a quote post of a video on X, Fowler wrote “many watching” Cowboys closely.
Fowler wrote that after a sentence where he stated “league circles” believe the Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans are open to moving out of the top 5 in the 2026 NFL Draft.
“Cowboys not overly active on phones yet,” add Fowler. “Open-minded about potential move but also comfortable staying put.”
Fowler’s update came Saturday — at the end of a week that started with fellow NFL insider Albert Breer naming the Cowboys a potential trade-up candidate.
The Cowboys possess two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. That’s one of the main reasons the team could make a major move up the draft board — they have the capital to do it more easily.
Could Brian Schottenheimer, Cowboys Move Up into Top 5 in 2026 NFL Draft?
GettyESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote on X that eyes are on the Dallas Cowboys as other teams look to trade out of the top 5 in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Fowler’s Cowboys trade up suggestion wasn’t anything new. Quite a few pundits have suggested, in mock drafts or otherwise, the Cowboys could move up in the 2026 NFL Draft.
On Monday, Breer provided this insider update:
“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,” wrote Breer.
“I’d say there are two players who could provoke such a move.”
In the Cowboys trade up scenarios, most pundits have Dallas landing at No. 6 overall. That’s a natural spot for a trade because the Cleveland Browns hold that pick. Like Dallas, the Browns have two first-round picks — No. 6 and 24 overall.
With Dallas having No. 12 and 20, the two teams could use the concept of flipping the two first-rounders as the basis for a trade.
But with his X post, Fowler suggested the Cowboys could jump even the Browns and move into the top five.
Analysts expect the Las Vegas Raiders to take quarterback Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 overall. After that, though, things are unclear.
At No. 2, the New York Jets could grab either edge rushers David Bailey or Arvell Reese. The Cardinals could take the other or potentially linebacker Sonny Styles.
Running back Jeremiyah Love could be in play for the Cardinals or Titans too.
But it also seems like those two teams might not want to take any of those prospects. Either team could be trying to orchestrate a trade back involving Dallas.
Cowboys Needs Entering 2026 NFL Draft
GettyThe Dallas Cowboys own the No. 12 and 20 overall picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Cowboys don’t have a shortage of needs on defense, which is a significant reason why the team could go in a lot of different first-round directions.
With several areas of need, the Cowboys could simple stay at No. 12 and 20 and pick the top defensive prospect on their board. Dallas could use upgrades at linebacker, edge rusher and in the secondary.
But arguably the team’s biggest need is at linebacker. If the Cowboys love Styles, could they jump up to ensure landing him?
That’s on the table, according to Fowler and Breer.
The Cowboys don’t have a second-round choice because of the trade for defensive lineman Quinnen Williams. They also gave up their own third-rounder for wide receiver George Pickens last May.
But the Cowboys have another third-round choice from the San Francisco 49ers. They will also have five Day 3 selections to address their defense and other needs.
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