Are Cowboys, Browns planning to make blockbuster NFL Draft trade?

Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones raised eyebrows when he recently acknowledged that he could be willing to make a trade to move up from the No. 12 overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. 

Meanwhile, Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry clearly wants it known that he could move down from the sixth overall selection to stockpile needed assets for Cleveland's latest roster restructuring. On Thursday, ESPN's Matt Miller suggested he has heard that the Browns and Cowboys could be interested in completing a trade before the draft gets underway on the night of April 23.

Why would Cowboys want to move up in the draft order? 

"It should be noted that some leaguewide sources believe the Browns would trade out from No. 6 to a team like Dallas, which is trying to move up for a pass-rusher," Miller explained. 

In late August 2025, the Cowboys sent star pass-rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers for two first-round draft picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Later in the fall, the Cowboys gave up a first-round pick in 2027, a second-round pick in 2026 and defensive tackle Mazi Smith to land defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets.

Earlier this week, Jon Machota of The Athletic mentioned that the Cowboys could trade up to the No. 3 pick to select Texas Tech edge-rusher David Bailey. As Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith noted, neither Bailey nor Ohio State's Arvell Reese may fall all the way to the sixth pick.

What could trade involving Cowboys, Browns look like? 

According to Browns insider Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland/The Land on Demand, the Cowboys could target Ohio State safety Caleb Downs or Miami pass-rusher Rueben Bain Jr. at pick No. 6.

"The rumored trade of No. 6 and No. 39 from the Browns for No. 12 and No. 20 is not a trade I would make," Grossi added regarding Cleveland. "I would want more. The Cowboys own their No. 1 pick and Green Bay’s No. 1 pick in 2027. The higher of those picks is committed to the Jets from Dallas' trade for Quinnen Williams last year. I doubt Dallas would agree to a trade involving their remaining first-round pick in 2027. "

It remains to be seen if Berry will ultimately agree with Grossi's assessment.