As draft rumors swirl, why Cowboys trade up with Browns when many ‘trying to drop down’

Nov 18, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam meet prior to the game at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images

Despite a successful trade down in 2025, a recent history of trades in the Top 10 being successful for teams dropping down, and a roster full of needs, Cleveland Browns fans are not a big fan of the idea of trading out of the sixth overall pick. Given the team’s NFL draft history, that stance is very well rooted in experience and understandable.

Of the most rumored trade-downs, the Dallas Cowboys trading up with the Browns had made the rounds the most. With both teams having two first-round picks, we’ve seen all sorts of proposed trades between the two teams.

What many have wondered is why the Cowboys would trade up with Cleveland when, according to Albert Breer, a number of teams are “already looking at trying to drop down” out of the top of the 2026 NFL draft? Breer notes the Arizona Cardinals (#3), the Tennessee Titans (#4), the New York Giants (#5), the Washington Commanders (#7), along with the Browns.

So why a trade with Cleveland? Let’s look at the teams listed by Breer:

#3 – Cardinals: For Dallas to trade up from the 12th pick to third overall, the price would be significant, including both first-round picks, next year’s first, and likely more. If the Cowboys have a few prospects similarly graded near the top of the draft, this is too high to try to get to.

#4 – Titans: Similar to Arizona, a trade with Tennessee would be extremely costly and, new HC Robert Saleh doesn’t want to start off his second head coaching position in a risky way. A big deal could sway Tennessee but, beyond Saleh, moving into a new building often leads to making win-now decisions.

#5 – Giants: One of Dallas’ hated rivals? Seems highly unlikely.

#7 – Commanders: One of Dallas’ hated rivals? Seems highly unlikely.

Is it possible that the Cowboys mortgage the future to get up to the third or fourth pick? Generally, those types of huge deals are limited to quarterback trades. Trading up five through seven is a more reasonable price, but two of those selections are held by NFC East rivals of Dallas.

It doesn’t mean it will for sure happen, but that leaves the Browns as the most likely trade-down option for the Cowboys.