Cowboys' Draft Strategy: Trade Up or Hold Steady?

0:00On April 18th, with the 2026 NFL drafters days away, analysts are buzzing that the Dallas Cowboys might trade up into the top 10 for a top tier defensive talent. Their roster screens for help on that side and pundits say staying put could mean missing out on elite prospects. Looking back at recent first rounds, it's been hit or miss for Dallas. Stars like C.D. Lam, Micah Parsons, and Tyler Smith turned it to home runs, while Mazzie Smith flamed out quick, and Tyler Gwighton hasn't panned out. Yet, the pattern? When the Cowboys grab guys close to their consensus rankings, like Lam at 9th overall, taken 17th, or Parsons 12, picks 12th. They struck gold. But reaching for lower rank players like Mazzie Smith at 49th taken 26th, not so much. Tyler Booker from last year looks like another win, ranked 31st, but snagged at 12th. Wighton was a near miss at 30th pick 29th, sticking near those boards has paid off more,

1:00then swinging big. Cowboys got two first round shots this year, both likely headed to defense. If they play it smart and hug the consensus, they could rebuild that unit strong, will they trade up or hold steady and see what falls.