Cowboys Trade Up for Top Defenders

0:00On April 15, teams around the league are buzzing that the Dallas Cowboys could trade up big in the 2026 NFL draft set for April 23rd to 25th in Pittsburgh. With picks at number 12 and number 20, insiders say Dallas is positioning to leapfrog the New York Giants at number 5 for a player both. Teams want, word is, the Cowboys have their eyes locked on Ohio State Buckeyes defenders, fresh off a defense that ranked number 1 in the country, allowing just. 10 points per game last season, they're scouting versatile linebackers like Sunny Stiles and Arbel Reese, plus safety Caleb Downs to plug holes in their secondary. Dallas pass defense got torch this year, giving up the most passing yards in the NFL at 251.5 for game. That stems partly from trading star Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers before the 2025 season started, leaving them desperate for, edge rushers and coverage guys. League sources point to Stiles as a plug and play hybrid with 83 tackles and strong past defense last year.

1:04Re-Straw's Parsons comes with his 4.46 Combine speed and 23 pressures. Downs, called the top prospect by some, brings six picks and experience that could make him an instant impact like Seattle's rookie standout. As the draft nears, keep watching how Dallas maneuvers, trading up could reshape their NFC East rivalry and defense overnight.