Dallas Cowboys mock draft exploring what moving up to No. 3 overall would look like, and what it would take

A couple of NFL Draft insiders have suggested the Dallas Cowboys could move up to No. 3 overall via a trade with the Arizona Cardinals. But what would that really look like?

In case you missed it, there’s a growing notion the Dallas Cowboys could trade up all the way into the top three in the 2026 NFL Draft. 

NFL insiders Bruce Feldman and Todd McShay have put the buzz on the map and now I’m wondering what a Cowboys draft could look like if that was to happen. That’s why I fired up our own mock draft simulator at A to Z Sports and got to work to strike a deal with the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 overall.

The Cowboys-Cardinals mock trade

First, let’s address the elephant in the room. Moving up from No. 12 to No. 3 overall would be very costly. Though McShay and Feldman have teased the Cowboys’ third-round pick as the price to pay, that's likely too little.

Our simulator confirmed it. When trying to package No. 92 and No. 12 for No. 3, it responded that “the Cardinals don’t think it’s a serious offer.”

So what could a trade really look like?

The A to Z Sports’ simulator drove a hard a bargain but this is ultimately what Dallas gives up in this trade scenario. Buckle up, it’s a haul for Arizona, but we’re working under the assumption this is what the Cowboys want to do while keeping No. 20 overall later in the first round.

• Cardinals get: Pick No. 12 (first-round), Pick No. 92 (third round), Pick No. 152 (fifth-round), 2027 second-round pick
• Cowboys get: Pick No. 3 overall

Now, the picks.

Pick No. 3 overall: EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech

According to the buzz spearheaded by McShay and Feldman, Bailey is who the Cowboys would want to move up for. It checks out.

Earlier in the year, Dallas aggressively targeted Maxx Crosby in the trade market. If not in the first round, the Cowboys are unlikely to upgrade the position in any other way. Moving up for Bailey guarantees them an improved pass rush, though run defense concerns will follow the former Red Raider into the NFL.

Pick No. 20 overall: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson

Yes, the hamstring that kept Terrell from performing offseason workouts at the combine, Clemson’s pro day and his private pro day is a concern.

But the film shows an NFL defensive back, and he’s a natural fit at nickel, which the Cowboys admittedly consider a need still. He’s a proven tackler, which is what Dallas wants at the position.

Final thoughts

While it would be unfortunate for the Cowboys to not make any picks on Day 2, it would be difficult to not be excited about this draft class. Dallas would leave Day 1 with an upgrade in the pass-rushing department and a starting-caliber nickel cornerback.

If they’re approaching 2026 with a win-now mentality, I can’t complain about giving up future picks for players who raise the floor right away.