The Dallas Cowboys are seemingly connected to a new seismic rumor with each week that passes before the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23. However, there has been a steady drumbeat of reporting that Dallas is a team to watch in terms of trading up on draft night.
On the surface, trading up makes a lot of sense. But it's easier said than done. Finding a team that wants to trade back is an obvious hurdle, which is why the Cleveland Browns, who pick at No. 6 and reportedly are keen on moving down, have been circled as a possibility.
However, Sports Illustrated insider Albert Breer thinks the Cowboys will have a lot more options, including the Tennessee Titans, who pick at No. 4.
"Count the Cardinals, Titans, Giants, Browns, and Commanders among those already looking at trying to drop down in the order to accumulate capital. The problem for those five is finding teams to move up."
The Dallas Cowboys should trade with the Titans during the NFL Draft for the No. 4 overall pick
Assuming the New York Giants (No. 5 pick) and Washington Commanders (No. 7 pick) would laugh Dallas off the phone, the Titans stick out as a dream trade partner. And trading with Tennessee would allow the Cowboys to leapfrog both of their NFC East rivals.
Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles has frequently been mocked to the Giants. With Dallas searching far and wide for a green-dot linebacker, trading up for Styles would make a lot of sense, even if it flies in the face of positional value. Stealing him from New York would be the icing on the cake.
During a recent appearance on the Rich Eisen Show, draft expert Dane Brugler of The Athletic floated the idea of Dallas trading up for Styles.
"I'm looking at the Cowboys specifically; they're going to be tempted to move up. Right now, the Cowboys don't have a player they feel comfortable wearing the green dot. Sonny Styles would be perfect for that Christian Parker defense, exactly what they're looking for.
"They have two first-round picks, could they be tempted to move up? We know the Browns are always willing to move back, maybe six could be that sweet spot for them."
While Brugler wasn’t necessarily reporting Dallas' interest, he’s one of the most plugged-in voices in the draft space and previously co-hosted The Draft Show, the Cowboys' official podcast, giving him familiarity with the organization.
The Browns remain a potential partner, but moving up to No. 4 would give Dallas the best odds of landing Styles, who was a 30 visit with America's Team.
And if the former Buckeye isn't the apple of the Cowboys' eye, teammates Caleb Downs and Arvell Reese -- plus edge rushers David Bailey (Texas Tech) and Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami, FL) -- all fit as logical targets if Christian Parker’s staff values them highly.
Trading up is always a dangerous game, but Breer’s reporting should have the Titans squarely on Jerry Jones’ radar with a little over a week until draft night.
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