Both the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys are known to shake things up during draft time, and the 2026 NFL draft may be no exception. Why play it safe when you can make a move that gets people talking?
The 2026 NFL draft is moments away, and the event kicks off on Thursday, April 23, and runs through Sunday, April 25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As NFL analysts and experts release their final mock projections for what to expect in the draft, we have our own idea of what these two franchises may do together to surprise the NFL world and viewers.
The Cleveland Browns are expected to move off the No. 6 pick by trading down a handful of picks to a spot where they can still draft a solid offensive tackle at a more appropriate position based on value. Meanwhile, the New York Giants aren’t likely to take linebacker Sonny Styles with the No. 5 pick, according to a report from Daniel Jeremiah and Todd McShay, but the Washington Commanders are likely to select the elite OSU defender at No. 7, if he’s still available.
So, let’s get into a trade that we see happening between the Browns and Cowboys in the heat of the 2026 NFL draft.
Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys Make Draft-Day Trade in Our Projection
Here’s a deal we see the Browns and Cowboys making: The Cowboys get the No. 6 overall pick in Round 1, and the Browns get the No. 12 pick and Cowboys’ 2027 second-round pick.
Dallas can go up six spots and get a premium player at an undervalued position for the cost of their second-rounder in 2027. Meanwhile, next year’s draft is projected to be elite, and the Cleveland Browns are playing the long game with new head coach Todd Monken.
This move is a smart, long-term decision for the Cleveland Browns and makes the Dallas Cowboys immediately better next season. It’s a win-win for all, and who doesn’t like happy faces on draft day?
More Projections for the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys
If the Browns and Cowboys don’t take our advice, Rob Rang of Fox Sports has an idea of what they’ll do. He released his final mock draft on Wednesday, April 22, and in it, he has strong selections for both teams.
Rang has the Cleveland Browns taking offensive tackle Spencer Fano out of Utah with their No. 6 selection. “It doesn’t matter much who plays quarterback in Cleveland given its current situation at wide receiver and offensive tackle,” he notes in the piece, adding that Fano is a towering 6-foot-5 and 311 pounds.
Later, he has the Dallas Cowboys taking edge Rueben Bain out of Miami as their No. 12 overall. “Bain’s tape is as good as any defender in this class, but short arms and off-field concerns could push him down the board a bit,” he notes.
Frankly, even if these teams play it safe and do the latter instead of our trade idea, they’ll land solid players. Lucky for the NFL, as a whole, that the 2026 draft class is so ripe with talent.
Browns and Cowboys Trade Pitch Shakes Up 2026 NFL Draft