Buying or selling? 5 Dallas Cowboys draft rumors that could define how they approach their two first-round picks

It’s smokes and mirrors season in the NFL with the draft only a couple of weeks away. We’re buying or selling stock on some of the rumors that could impact the Dallas Cowboys’ first-round plans.

It’s never easy to discern a legit NFL Draft piece of intel versus a smoke screen. But that’s what we’re trying to do today. We’re buying or selling draft rumors that could directly impact how the Dallas Cowboys approach their two first-round picks come April 23.

1. The Cowboys will try to trade up

This is by far the most relevant rumor out there right now. And while I can’t be 100% certain the Cowboys will move up, I’m bullish on the buzz.

Dallas needs to take a big swing to turn the defense around. They didn’t do that in free agency, but they’ve shown they’re willing to part ways with draft picks if an opportunity arises. Earlier in the year, they offered as much as No. 12 overall and a 2027 second-round draft pick to land Maxx Crosby.

They can’t pick Crosby in the draft, but they can move up to secure one of the few premium defenders available—like Ohio State’s Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles.

VERDICT: Buying

2. Caleb Downs will fall to No. 12 overall

But what if they don’t have to move up for Downs? That’s what many believe and I understand why. The NFL has historically undervalued the safety position. No matter how good Downs is, it could happen again.

I struggle to see how it could happen in this year’s class, though. There is a shortage of true difference-makers, which should cause Downs to be picked before the Cowboys go on the clock. Downs can step in and make a Day 1 impact as a run defender and in coverage.

NFL front offices, however, have spent years showing us they don’t view safeties the same as us.

VERDICT: Selling (but hoping)

3. Dallas will take offensive player if needed

More than a rumor, this is a stance Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer took earlier in the year. If Dallas can steal a big-time prospect on offence, it will not hesitate. Or so they say.

The Cowboys are often careful about investing too much in a single position group. Just look at the Osa Odighizuwa trade, in which they gave up a Pro Bowl defensive tackle in exchange of a third-round pick. They’ve picked a first-round O-lineman in three of the last five drafts and they’re paying CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens a ton of money.

I see them trading out of the pick if they’re wiped out defensively, but I struggle to see them taking OL.

VERDICT: Selling

4. Cowboys are ruling out CB Jermod McCoy

I’m unsure if McCoy fits the Cowboys’ description of a redshirt rookie—which Jerry Jones described as something the team can’t pick in 2026 due to its urgency to fix the defense. However, it sounds like they’re not willing to find out.

Multiple insiders have suggested McCoy isn’t an option for Dallas, and he isn’t a pre-draft visitor, which is notable considering the Cowboys are hosting most of the top defensive prospects.

Picking McCoy, especially at No. 12 overall, would be a big shock.

VERDICT: Buying

5. Rueben Bain Jr. will fall outside the Top 10

This is not so much of a Cowboys rumor but rather a draft one. ESPN’s Matt Miller recently hinted at Miami EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. falling out of the Top 10. That would possibly put him at play for Dallas at 12.

This one’s probably right on the line but I guess it checks out with the rise of WR Carnell Tate and others. Since teams are likely going to care about him being such a big outlier in terms of arm length, I’m buying stock on this one.

VERDICT: Buying

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