The 2026 NFL Draft may see significant trade activity, with six teams lacking a first-round pick. Key players like Jeremiyah Love and Caleb Downs are projected to influence teams' decisions to move up or down.
NFL Draft trade rumors 2026: The 5 most likely scenarios to move up, down in Round 1 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NFL Draft isn't just an opportunity for teams to add young talent.
Sometimes, teams have more on their minds on draft day, from how their picks will impact their current roster, to fielding trade calls, deciding to acquire current NFL players or future picks instead of drafting a prospect. Potential trade are always part of the draft-day fun — especially in the first round, when value is at its peak.
At the 2026 NFL Draft, there's plenty of potential for shake-ups in the order. Six teams already don't own a first-round pick — including the Cincinnati Bengals after their recent blockbuster deal with the Giants involving the No. 10 pick. And between the underwhelming quarterback class, plus great players at traditionally undervalued positions like Jeremiyah Love and Caleb Downs being projected in the top-10, it's not hard to see scenarios where more teams will want to move up or down.
Here are some of the teams most likely to move on the first-round draft board, including the latest buzz on potential trades.
MORE: The Sporting News' 3-round 2026 NFL mock draft
So far, some of the most tangible reporting on teams looking to move up surrounds the Dallas Cowboys.
Several teams are expected to trade during the 2026 NFL Draft, particularly those looking to acquire top prospects or future picks.
The underwhelming quarterback class may drive teams to trade up or down, as they seek to maximize value with their picks.
Top prospects like Jeremiyah Love and Caleb Downs are projected to influence teams' decisions to trade in the first round.
Six teams currently do not own a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, impacting their trade strategies.
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Jerry Jones and company currently own the No. 12 and No. 20 selections — but for a team that always prioritizes star power, has significant needs and expects to contend in 2026, moving up to get one more high-profile player could make some sense.
Jordan Schultz reported on Apr. 14 that Dallas is a team to watch in trade-up scenarios, with particular rumors surrounding the Cowboys' interest in jumping their division rival Giants, who pick fifth. If that was the case, the Arizona Cardinals (No. 3) or Tennessee Titans (No. 4) could be trade partners. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler also reported on Apr. 18 that Dallas is being watched "closely" as a trade-up candidate, due to "obvious defensive needs," but the team is also comfortable keeping its two first-rounders.
Dallas would likely be aiming for a big swing if it moves up that far — one of the draft's high-profile pass rushers, Arvell Reese or David Bailey, could be the target for the Cowboys in that scenario. While defensive talent is needed more in Dallas, there's also a chance that the Cowboys want to add a star to their offense in running back Jeremiyah Love, considered one of the best running back prospects in years. Safety Caleb Downs could also make sense for Dallas, but he isn't expected to land in the top-5.
If the price isn't too high, the Cowboys could wind up picking in the top-5. A year removed from trading Micah Parsons, a new young pass rusher would be a good fit.
The No. 1 pick, in all likelihood, is not going to be moved this year. The Las Vegas Raiders have received trade calls for the pick, general manager John Spytek recently said, per ESPN, but the team is heavily expected to hold onto the selection to take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
"We've gotten a few calls, and those teams know where they stand," Spytek said, per ESPN.
The Jets at No. 2 aren't considered likely to trade down, being connected to Reese or Bailey at edge rusher.
But from there, it's fairly conceivable that almost any team in the top-10 would trade down. Albert Breer reported on Apr. 13 that the Cardinals, Titans, Giants, Browns and Commanders are all among the teams that have looked at the possibility, but the problem has been finding a trade partner. Additionally, Schultz reported on Apr. 16 that Arizona, picking at No. 3 overall, remains "the biggest mystery" regarding whether the Cardinals would trade down. And on Apr. 18, Fowler called the Cardinals and Titans reportedly "open to moving back."
Breer wrote that, assuming the Jets take Bailey, there are two players who could "inspire" a trade-up: Reese and Love. Teams in need of a pass rusher, like the Cowboys, or who want to ensure they'll land a star running back, like the Saints, could eye a move up.
However, Schultz also reported on Apr. 14 that the teams interested in trading down in the order are finding an issue: other franchises have "a lack of interest" in parting ways with their 2027 selections, with that draft expected to include some big quarterback names.
Based on rumors, it appears to be a better market for teams that are looking to move up into the top-10 this year. With some strong prospects, but some questions about positional value, the cost to move up may not be quite as high as it usually would be.
The Jets appear locked into their No. 2 spot, but after trading Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts last season, they have another first-rounder at No. 16.
New York could be an intriguing team to watch in the mid-first round. While the Jets have plenty of needs — including quarterback, although there aren't any projected mid-first round passers — one of the more glaring ones is cornerback.
As ESPN's Bill Barnwell suggested, a trade-up from No. 16 to land a cornerback could make sense for New York, especially if targeting the projected CB1, LSU's Mansoor Delane. With plenty of cornerback-needy teams in the 10-15 range, it's unlikely Delane would make it to the Jets.
Another positional need is wide receiver — New York could try to get ahead of the Dolphins or Rams at No. 11 and 13 to get a player like Jordyn Tyson or Makai Lemon. Considering the Jets have two second-round picks and two fourth-round picks, they have the ammo to facilitate a move up for a player they like.
At No. 23, Philadelphia is often being mocked to land either an offensive lineman, considering Lane Johnson's eventual retirement, or a pass rusher, with Jaelan Phillips leaving in free agency. As a win-now team, the Eagles are a team that surely would find some value in a trade-up for a player they like.
Considering all the investing that the Eagles have done on the defensive side of the ball in recent drafts, they're expected to eye an offensive lineman, or potentially even a wide receiver or tight end in the first round. In order to land players like Monroe Freeling, Olaivaega Ioane, Kadyn Proctor or Kenyon Sadiq, however, they may have to move up from No. 23.
The teams in front of the Eagles may also be considering offensive linemen, and the draft's group of elite receivers are expected to be gone by No. 23. Regardless of the position, including a pass rusher, Philadelphia is a team to watch in smaller trade-up scenarios, especially on draft day.
Howie Roseman has a growing history of draft-day trades. Last year, he moved up one pick to get Jihaad Campbell. In 2023, the Eagles moved up one pick to land Jalen Carter. Philadelphia isn't shy about sacrificing a later-round pick to make sure it gets its desired player, and the 2026 NFL Draft may not be an exception.
With Mendoza appearing set to go No. 1, the next quarterback expected to be taken is Alabama's Ty Simpson — but the former Crimson Tide star has a fairly wide range of expected draft slots. Mocked anywhere from the mid-first round to the late-second, a realistic range for Simpson would be a quarterback-needy team taking a shot on him late in the first round.
Especially if Simpson isn't taken by the Jets at No. 16 or the Steelers at No. 21, there's a decent chance that one of those teams, or another such as the Cardinals, is willing to trade into the late-first round or early-second round to take him. The teams that own picks No. 22 to 32 don't have a big need for a young quarterback — the Browns or Dolphins could theoretically add Simpson, but both teams have passers expected to start in 2026.
Because of that, keep an eye on trade-ups for Simpson. The Seahawks, at No. 32, have a history of trading out of the first round. That slot could make sense for Pittsburgh, with the Jets owning pick No. 33 to begin the second round, able to hypothetically consider Simpson once again, followed by the Cardinals.
If Simpson goes in the first round, there's a good chance it will be because of a trade-up from one of the quarterback-hungry franchises willing to bet on his upside.