How the most likely trade-up will impact the Titans pick at 4 in the 2026 NFL Draft

Yahoo SportsYesterday4 min readOriginal source →

TL;DR

The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly looking to trade up in the 2026 NFL Draft, targeting Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles. This potential move could significantly affect the Tennessee Titans' pick at number 4, as it may lead to a trade-down opportunity for the Titans or alter the available prospects.

We’ve talked all draft season about the incentive many teams picking in the top-10 have to try to trade down for more assets. The problem this year (and most years) is that there is scarce concrete evidence of teams willing to trade-up for somebody. Here in the final countdown to draft night, one such suitor has made themselves loudly known. It’s Jerry Jones’ Cowboys, who are after a star defender no doubt. But where they trade to, as well as who for, could change the entire landscape of the Titans’ draft class.

The Cowboys trading-up could change the math for the Titans

This whisper has turned into a roar: Jerry has a war chest of draft capital, and he’s interested in using it to cash in on a stud. The Cowboys have picks 12 and 20 in this draft, and the latest word on the street has been aggressively connecting Ohio State LB Sonny Styles to Dallas.

There's a belief among teams at the top of the draft that the #Cowboys, who have picks at #12 and #20, are a team to watch in trade-up scenarios, according to multiple league sources.

Several teams have said they believe Dallas is targeting a player the #Giants also covet, and… pic.twitter.com/9C32GqBSkS

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz\_Report) April 14, 2026 This phrasing is unique from Schultz. Styles has been connected to the G-Men for some time, so it’s not exactly a leap to assume he is talking about the blue chip LB prospect. I’ve heard separately that this is, in fact, the player they’re supposedly targeting. Crazy Uncle Jerry pulling a Leroy Jenkins maneuver to trade up into the top-10 of a draft for an off-ball linebacker is exactly the drama I like to see on draft weekend. Who does that?! Jerry does that. Sign me up for the antics. Connor Hughes in New York alludes to Styles being his understanding as well in this tweet on Tuesday. While Jeremiyah Love could also technically be in the equation, the Cowboys trading up to jump the Giants for him makes very little sense to me from the perspective of both parties. Lots of teams interested in moving back. Specifically ahead of the Giants: Jets, Cardinals & Titans.

Belief in league circles (at this point) is the #Giants covet LB Sonny Styles & RB Jeremiyah Love, if one is there at five.

— Connor Hughes (@Connor\_J\_Hughes) April 14, 2026 And yet, while the connection to “a player the Giants also covet” was made explicitly here, a trade-up that puts Dallas… behind the Giants is apparently on the table here too. Dane Brugler dropped this sneaky huge nugget in his mock draft on Wednesday: This is an extremely interesting note from Dane Brugler's mock draft today pic.twitter.com/ogO9v7MUWw

— Football Analysis (@FBallAnalysisYT) April 15, 2026 And then in three major mock drafts released on Wednesday, we saw the Cowboys trade up to 6 in all of them. McShay, Brugler, and Kiper alike. And the Cowboys were landing Styles at 6 anyways. Sounds like Caleb Downs or Sonny Styles will have a star on their helmet on draft night. The fact that Brugler, Mcshay, and Kiper all had the Cowboys trading with Cleveland means there is a TON of smoke. Both are A+ prospects. So they are gonna get a great player regardless

Q&A

How will the Cowboys' trade-up affect the Titans' draft strategy?

If the Cowboys trade up, it could create a scenario where the Titans might receive trade-down offers or benefit from a higher-ranked player falling to them at pick 4.

Who are the Cowboys targeting in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Cowboys are reportedly targeting linebacker Sonny Styles from Ohio State, who is also coveted by the New York Giants.

What picks do the Cowboys have in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Cowboys hold the 12th and 20th picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.

What could happen if the Cowboys trade up to pick 3?

If the Cowboys trade up to pick 3, it could lead to Sonny Styles being selected early, potentially allowing other top prospects like David Bailey or Arvell Reese to fall to the Titans at pick 4.