Mel Kiper Jr., Dane Brugler share huge predictions about blockbuster Cowboys, Browns NFL Draft trade

Ahead of the second weekend of April, whispers grew louder suggesting that Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones could make a trade with the Cleveland Browns to move up from the No. 12 overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft to choice No. 6 with a defensive player in mind. 

For mock drafts published on Wednesday, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and Dane Brugler of The Athletic expanded on what such a trade could look like. 

The Cowboys are linked with one specific player for a draft trade with the Browns

Kiper predicted that the Cowboys will trade overall picks No. 12 and No. 20 to Cleveland for pick No. 6 and choice No. 39 so that Dallas can acquire Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles. 

"Dallas wasn't stopping anyone last season," Kiper wrote. "It allowed 6.1 yards per play, second worst in the NFL. It allowed 30.1 points per game, worst in the NFL. And it was far and away the league's least effective defense by (expected points added). We've all wondered whether the Cowboys would use both of their first-round picks on defense this month, but this trade up the board might have a greater impact, even if it means sacrificing one of those Day 1 selections. Styles is my No. 4 prospect, and he is explosive (43½-inch vertical jump), rangy (4.46 in the 40-yard dash) and productive (77 tackles last season)."

On April 10, ESPN analyst Kevin Clark shared that he believes Styles will eventually be seen as the best player in this year's draft class. That said, a Dallas team in need of all kinds of help on defense could also spend the sixth choice on either Ohio State safety Caleb Downs or Miami pass-rusher Rueben Bain Jr. if one or both of those prospects are available. The Cowboys traded star pass-rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers last summer and haven't yet replaced him.

Could it cost more for the Cowboys to acquire the Browns' pick?

Meanwhile, Brugler thinks the Cowboys will have to pair a 2027 fourth-round choice with pick Nos. 12 and 20 to move up to the sixth overall spot in the draft order for Styles. Dallas also gets pick No. 39 in this proposed deal.

"Styles would not only be an immediate starter at a position of need," Brugler explained, "but also wear the green dot as a rookie."

Interestingly, at least one Browns insider thinks the club could stay at pick No. 6 so that Cleveland can acquire a pass-rusher ahead of trading Myles Garrett later in the offseason.