Dallas Cowboys Open to Trading Draft Picks in 2026 NFL Draft Amid Roster Gaps and High Draft Capital

FRISCO, Texas — With two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft and a roster still needing key positions filled, the Dallas Cowboys are leaving no stone unturned in their preparation for the event. The team, which holds the 12th and 20th overall selections—acquired via the Micah Parsons trade to the Green Bay Packers last August—is actively considering whether to stand pat, move up to secure a top-tier prospect, or trade down to accumulate additional draft capital. The front office’s openness to all possibilities was confirmed by owner and general manager Jerry Jones during league meetings in March, signaling a dynamic approach to one of the most pivotal drafts in franchise history.

Why the 2026 NFL Draft Matters for the Dallas Cowboys

The 2026 NFL Draft represents a critical inflection point for the Dallas Cowboys, who have spent the offseason addressing roster deficiencies but still face gaps at key positions. While the team made significant moves in free agency—including the acquisition of veteran players to bolster the defensive line and secondary—the front office has repeatedly emphasized the need to add impact talent at linebacker and edge rusher. With two first-round picks and a third-rounder regained through the March trade of Osa Odighizuwa to the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas possesses one of the most valuable draft hauls in the league. This capital gives the Cowboys unprecedented flexibility to maneuver, whether by trading up for a franchise-changing player or packaging picks to address multiple needs.

The Value of Draft Capital in Modern NFL Strategy

In today’s NFL, draft capital is currency. Teams with multiple high-value picks, like the Cowboys, hold a strategic advantage, as Jerry Jones underscored in his March remarks. The ability to trade up, down, or swap picks allows franchises to adapt in real-time based on how the draft board unfolds. For Dallas, this flexibility could be the difference between landing a game-changing linebacker or edge rusher and settling for a mid-round project. The Cowboys’ approach reflects a broader trend in the league, where teams increasingly prioritize draft-day maneuverability to address roster weaknesses. As Stephen Jones, executive vice president and director of player personnel, noted, draft picks become more valuable as teams refine their evaluations of incoming prospects, making them a premium asset in negotiations.

Jerry Jones’ Stance: ‘Absolutely’ Open to Trading Up or Down

I've looked at that mirror a lot, about how to go up and down and trade and do those kinds of things. Absolutely. We'll entertain improving or an in-draft read on what gives us a better chance to get another player, and still have our pick and the red meat of top players. Now that has an on the board aspect to it, but it's very doable.

Jerry Jones’ comments during the NFL’s March meetings in Orlando left little ambiguity about the Cowboys’ draft-day intentions. The owner, known for his hands-on approach to roster construction, emphasized that the team’s draft capital—two first-round picks and a third-rounder—makes trading a viable option. Jones’ philosophy hinges on the idea that having "a lot of draft capital" often trumps even the sharpest draft-day intuition. "That’ll win most of the time," he added, underscoring the team’s confidence in leveraging its picks for maximum impact. His remarks also hinted at the Cowboys’ willingness to act decisively if a blue-chip prospect begins to slide, suggesting that Dallas may not hesitate to move up if the opportunity arises.

Stephen Jones Echoes the Sentiment: Picks Are More Valuable Than Ever

Draft picks obviously get more and more valuable as people get fired up about the upcoming draft. They're doing their homework. They're looking at all the guys that are going to be coming in the draft. They get fired up about it and picks become a premium.

Executive vice president and director of player personnel Stephen Jones echoed his father’s sentiments, reinforcing the idea that draft picks are at a premium in the lead-up to the event. His observation highlights a shift in how teams view draft capital: as the offseason progresses and prospects’ stock rises, the value of picks escalates, making them a hot commodity in trade negotiations. For the Cowboys, this means their two first-round selections are not just tools for improvement but potential bargaining chips to address multiple roster needs. Stephen Jones’ remarks also reflect the team’s confidence in its scouting department, which has consistently identified talent in the middle rounds despite the Cowboys’ tendency to trade down in recent years.

Roster Needs: Linebacker and Edge Rush Remain Top Priorities

The Cowboys’ draft strategy is not occurring in a vacuum. Despite aggressive moves in free agency—including the signings of veteran defensive linemen and safeties—the team has repeatedly identified linebacker and edge rusher as critical gaps on its roster. The front office has not been coy about its intentions, with Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones both acknowledging the need to address these positions. "We're obviously looking at the linebacker spot," Jerry Jones said in March, while Stephen Jones added that the need is "on our radar." This focus aligns with the Cowboys’ defensive scheme under head coach Mike McCarthy, which demands athletic, versatile linebackers and disruptive edge rushers to pressure opposing quarterbacks.

Top Linebacker Prospects in the 2026 Draft

With the draft still months away, the Cowboys are closely monitoring a deep class of linebacker prospects, including Sonny Styles, Jacob Rodriguez, Arvell Reese, and CJ Allen. While none of these names are guaranteed to be available at the 12th or 20th overall pick, their presence on Dallas’ radar underscores the team’s commitment to addressing the position. The Cowboys’ interest in these players suggests they are willing to move up if one of them begins to slip, though Jerry Jones has dismissed rumors of Dallas targeting a top-five selection. Instead, the team appears focused on leveraging its current picks to land a high-impact player without overpaying in draft capital.

• The Cowboys hold two first-round picks (12th and 20th overall) in the 2026 NFL Draft, giving them unprecedented flexibility to trade up, down, or stay put.
• Owner Jerry Jones and executive VP Stephen Jones have both confirmed the team is open to trading draft capital to address roster needs at linebacker and edge rusher.
• The Cowboys regained a third-round pick after trading Osa Odighizuwa to the San Francisco 49ers in March, further enhancing their draft-day options.
• Top linebacker prospects like Sonny Styles, Jacob Rodriguez, Arvell Reese, and CJ Allen are on Dallas’ radar, with the team prepared to act if one slips in the draft.
• Jerry Jones emphasized that having "a lot of draft capital" often outweighs even the best draft-day intuition, signaling a dynamic approach to the 2026 draft.

How the Cowboys’ Draft Strategy Aligns with NFL Trends

The Cowboys’ draft philosophy is not unique but reflects broader trends in the NFL, where teams prioritize flexibility and adaptability in the draft. In recent years, franchises like the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, and Green Bay Packers have leveraged multiple picks to address multiple needs or package them for a single star player. Dallas’ approach mirrors this strategy, particularly given its roster construction under Jerry Jones, who has historically favored trading down to accumulate picks rather than overcommitting to a single prospect. However, the Cowboys’ current draft capital—two first-round picks—gives them a rare opportunity to deviate from that approach if the right opportunity arises.

What’s Next for the Cowboys Before the 2026 NFL Draft

With the draft still months away, the Cowboys’ front office will continue to evaluate its roster needs and monitor the draft landscape. Key dates, including the NFL Scouting Combine in late February and the draft itself in late April, will provide critical opportunities to refine the team’s strategy. In the meantime, Dallas will likely engage in trade discussions with other franchises, gauging the market for its picks while also preparing for the possibility of standing pat. The team’s willingness to consider all options—trading up, trading down, or standing pat—ensures that the 2026 draft could be one of the most unpredictable and consequential in franchise history.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Cowboys’ 2026 Draft Strategy