Buyers’ market: Stage is set for Cowboys to move up in 2026 NFL draft

The concept of supply and demand is one of the most basic and undeniable realities of market forces. A situation that has a great supply and limited demand favors the buyer, while a situation that has more demand than supply favors the seller.

In the 2026 NFL draft, the supply is draft picks, which reportedly, many teams are looking to unload in an effort to move back. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, “the 2026 draft will be one of the more trade-heavy drafts in recent memory.” Schultz states teams want to move back and collect extra second and third round picks rather than stick and pick early. Given the recent headlines about the Dallas Cowboys, supply and demand could favor them as they navigate the upcoming draft.

The Cowboys, recently linked to some trade-up reports, might find themselves in a buyers’ market. If more teams want to back out than want to move up, prices should drop. While the various trade charts provide an outline for what compensation should be for trades, it’s by no means a hard and fast rule. Supply and demand are always in play, and in this case, the buyer looking to move up has the advantage.

Looking at the Fitzgerald-Spielberger trade chart, Pick 12 has a 1741-point value while picks 3-6 range in value between 2443 – 2092. With a delta between 300-700 points, the Cowboys would probably have to cash in a portion of their No. 20 pick valued at 1482 to get a deal done. In a sellers’ market it may take the whole 1482-point asset. But here in a predicted buyers’ market it may just require a small portion.

In this buyers’ market the Cowboys would theoretically get back second or third round picks in either the 2026 draft or the highly anticipated 2027 draft. If other teams really do desire second and third round picks this year, the Cowboys don’t have much ammo to work with. With nothing in the second and just a late third at their disposal, they have less than 700-points in Day 2 purchasing power. Then again, that might be all they need in a buyers’ market.

It will all come down to who’s willing to move up and who wants to move back. In a true buyers’ market, the Cowboys should be able to move up rather inexpensively. Given all the needs across the Cowboys' roster, one could easily question the wisdom of moving up in 2026, but that debate will come down to the details.

It’s usually the Cowboys who want to move back and the Cowboys who can’t find a partner willing to pay the price. In 2026 the roles may be reversed with Dallas finally ready to play the opportunist.

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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Buyers’ market: Stage is set for Cowboys to move up in 2026 NFL draft