Cowboys could eye trade-up in 2026 NFL Draft, but standing pat remains viable strategy

The Dallas Cowboys are in a solid position heading into the 2026 NFL Draft (scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh). 

Dallas owns picks No. 12 and No. 20 in the draft after trading defensive end Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in 2025. The NFC East club doesn't pick again until the third round (pick No. 92). The Cowboys can use that draft capital to fill defensive holes or trade up and land one of the top players in the class. 

Should Cowboys trade up in 2026 NFL Draft? 

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer didn't rule out a draft-day trade when he spoke with the media on Monday at the league meetings in Phoenix.

"[Owner Jerry Jones] is never afraid of making deals," the coach said.

If the Cowboys move up in the draft, it would likely be for a pass-rusher who can replace three-time first-team All-Pro Parsons. In a mock draft published Wednesday, The Athletic's Bruce Feldman had Dallas trade picks No. 12 and No. 92 to the Arizona Cardinals to move up to No. 3 and select Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey (6-foot-4, 251 pounds). 

"He has such a great combination of speed and agility. He's also so physical and can bull-rush right through you and put an offensive lineman on their back," a Big 12 offensive coordinator told Feldman. "He's also good against the run. He's a super smart guy, too. You could see on film he knew where he fit in the defense, and he wasn't just freelancing. He's doing his job. A complete player. Really special."

Bailey — who tied for the most sacks (14.5) in the country last season — could emerge as a premier pass-rusher for the Cowboys. However, he's only one guy, and Dallas' defense needs more than that. 

The Cowboys allowed the most passing yards per game (251.5) in the league last season. Keeping both picks could help Dallas address its secondary problems and find another quality defender. The team could use pick No. 12 on Oregon Ducks safety Dillon Thieneman (6-foot, 201 pounds), who defended five passes and grabbed two interceptions last season. It could then take Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez (6-foot-1, 231 pounds) with selection No. 20, the 2025 Chuck Bednarik Award winner as the top defender in college football. 

Many of the Cowboys' defensive issues stemmed from the Parsons trade, but their pass-rush didn't struggle to generate pressure in 2025, reducing the need for an edge-rusher. Per Pro Football Reference's data, Dallas ranked second in the league in pressures (197) and first in pressure rate (31.2%).

The Cowboys have much to consider before deciding whether to stand pat or trade up in the draft. Regardless, Dallas shouldn't lose sleep over their choice. Whatever it does, the franchise can use the draft to revamp a defense that kept it out of the playoffs last season.