標籤: Cowboys

A new report suggests that Masai Ujiri will make the first big move as the Dallas Mavericks’ new president of basketball operations, trading away, arguably, their best player before next season’s NBA trade deadline.

After several weeks of rumors and speculation, Mavericks governor and majority owner Patrick Dumont made a major breakthrough in his search for a new team president when he hired Ujiri last week. And the former Toronto Raptors president brings an impressive resume to Dallas.

During his tenure at North, Ujiri made seven consecutive playoff appearances. His first Eastern Conference Finals appearance (2016). First NBA Finals appearance (2019), and the franchise’s first championship in 2019. However, it is difficult to stay at the top for long, and he was forced out of his role last year after a couple of disappointing seasons.

Ujiri has shown a talent for drafting and development and making bold trades to take his teams a step forward. Dallas fans will surely be wondering what moves he can make to lift the Mavericks out of the bottom of the standings and back into playoff contention.

Although it may not come this summer, a new report suggests a specific big-time trade will take place during the season.

Are the Dallas Mavericks planning on trading Kyrie Irving before next season’s trade deadline?

On Wednesday, ESPN’s Jeremy Wu reported how Ujiri’s priority will be building a better roster around young star Cooper Flagg. However, that endgame won’t include top star Kyrie Irving.

The 34-year-old nine-time All-Star missed the entire 2025-26 season after suffering an ACL injury in March 2025. Hopefully the extra recovery time will allow him to make an immediate impact next season. However, he is on a very different timeline than what the organization thinks about the 19-year-old Flagg and his journey to lead the Mavericks back to relevance.

That’s why Ujiri would surely find a new home for the future Hall of Famer and earn more draft assets to build a winning team around Flagg.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The Dallas Cowboys recently concluded a controversial 2026 NFL Draft class that included two first-round selections and seven overall selections. They were also dealing with some drama arising from George Pinkens’ contract situation.

While Pickens recently signed his franchise tag tender, ensuring a salary of $27.3 million for the 2026 season, there were several different scenarios in play. The Cowboys were reportedly unwilling to discuss a long-term contract extension, which meant the only outcome for Pickens was to either sign the one-year franchise tag, sit out the season, or be traded to a different team.

Still, would the Cowboys really trade a superstar for the second year in a row just because they couldn’t agree on contract value? A trade may be more realistic than many people expect.

According to ESPN’s NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, Pickens recently considered a trade from the Cowboys and even evaluated what his potential options would be with another team. Nevertheless, after a brief period of Pickens assessing his trade and/or contract value market, his camp decided he would be better off signing the tag and remaining with the Cowboys for the upcoming campaign.

Chances are, Pickens will play the season on the franchise tag. Of course, if the Cowboys somehow fall flat early in the season, more drama could develop, leading to even more trade speculation.

Still, the best outcome for Pickens might be to forget about all this contract drama and hope he ends up as a Pro Bowl selection for the second consecutive season. At that point, the Cowboys or any other team will have no choice but to pay him top dollar.

RELATED: NFL executive on Dallas Cowboys draft pick: ‘He won’t have a long career’

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

Now that the 2026 NFL Draft is over, the Dallas Cowboys can turn their attention to other areas. In their case, that might mean figuring out what to do with George Pickens. The team has placed the franchise tag on its other Pro Bowl wide receiver, but despite previous reports, the 25-year-old has not signed it yet.

That means anything could still happen, from the Cowboys pulling the $27.2 million franchise tag, re-signing him to a long-term contract, or possibly even a trade. If it were up to Pickens, he would prefer either a long-term contract or even a trade to Dallas rather than playing under the one-year franchise tag.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Pickens has now told the Cowboys that he either “wants a long-term contract, or he wants a trade.”

Schefter says Pickens’ agent also tried reaching out to other teams to gauge their trade interest in the star receiver, but “got nothing.” Meanwhile, the Cowboys remained “adamant” that they would not trade Pickens despite having no intention of signing him to a long-term deal this offseason.

It feels like the Micah Parsons situation is evolving again in Dallas. According to Schefter, Pickens is “more tradeable than Parsons” because the Cowboys are not ready to negotiate a long-term contract with the receiver yet.

Now that the NFL Draft is over, perhaps teams will reevaluate Pickens’ potential availability. Will someone come up with an offer too good to refuse?

RELATED: Nick Saban believes Dallas Cowboys overreached with first-round pick

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

While performance on the field will really determine which teams make the best moves in the 2026 NFL Draft, it’s always worth checking out how much some rosters improved over this past weekend. This practice favors teams with premium draft capital, but it also highlights how different some of these clubs could look this fall.

Let’s take a look at the list of NFL teams that we believe have improved the most through the draft.

New York Jets

The New York Jets looked to be one of the worst teams seen in the last decade during the second half of the 2025 NFL season. Not surprisingly, when you eliminate most of your roster, there’s a lot of room for improvement. We think New York did a great job in the NFL Draft.

In the first two rounds, there’s a great case that New York came away with four starters. David Bailey could be an exciting No. 2 edge rusher for Aaron Glenn in 2026, D’Angelo Ponds found the right team to use, and the Jets strengthened their passing game with the selection of playmakers Kenyon Saadiq and Omar Cooper Jr. There will also be more depth on the defensive interior with Darrell Jackson Jr., and we’re eager to see how Glenn utilizes his size (6-foot-3) and speed (4.4). 40-yard dash) in a rotational role for safety VJ Payne.

Connected: Ranking the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates

dallas cowboys

It is a popular opinion to say that the Dallas Cowboys came out of the 2026 NFL Draft with one of the best performances. Our assessment is that this rookie class, especially the top three picks, will prove vital in a remarkable one-year turnaround for this Cowboys defense. That step forward could also be the difference in potentially winning the NFC East.

Although we don’t expect Caleb Downs to perform like an All-Pro as a rookie, a Pro Bowl selection is on the table because of Christian Parker’s system. This is great, as it took Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper Dejean until their second season under Parker in Philadelphia to do this, but a significant improvement defensively for Dallas makes it possible.

We also like what the Cowboys did at edge rusher by taking Malachi Lawrence (23rd overall pick), Jayshawn Barham (92nd overall pick) and LT Overton (137th overall pick). Suddenly, pass-rushing depth is no longer an issue for this team, and they have already upgraded the backbone of their defense. We’ll also mention the fact that Dallas acquired linebacker Dee Winters, who, if healthy, will be an upgrade from Kenneth Murray Jr. Jerry Jones and company made improving the defense their top priority, and we believe they succeeded.

tampa bay buccaneers

Sometimes it’s good to have luck on your side in the 2026 NFL Draft. For whatever reason, frontrunner Ruben Benn Jr. dropped to 15th overall. We feel pretty confident in saying that if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had picked this high, they would have been taken in the top eight. He’s an immediate starter, solidifying a position that has plagued this Buccaneers defense for years. What makes the selection even better is that Ben will be in a good position to produce quickly as he is joining a defensive line that includes Vita Vea and Caliza Cansi. Tampa Bay’s defensive line may eventually become a problem for other teams again rather than the team’s problem.

Fittingly, in a draft where the Buccaneers had addressed a position of weakness for several years, linebacker Josiah Trotter was the 46th pick overall. He was built for Tampa Bay’s defense, due to his excellent ability to attack everything in front of him. Dropping back into coverage is certainly an issue, but it’s clearly something the Buccaneers’ coaching staff is accustomed to dealing with at linebacker. Elsewhere on defense, Keyontae Scott (116th pick overall) could be a good nickel corner for the Buccaneers this season, and DeMonte Capehart provides some depth if Kansas goes down again.

RELATED: Best 2026 NFL Draft Classes

kansas city chiefs

Not only were the Kansas City Chiefs coming off their worst season since 2012, but they also moved on from corners Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson this offseason. Moving on from the All-Pro cornerback isn’t always an easy call, but this could lead to an improvement on the Kansas City defense we saw last year.

As good as McDuffie was, he had his limitations, and Mansur Delaney plans to be a better boundary corner who matches up well against bigger wide receivers. The Chiefs finally found their future at defensive tackle and landed Peter Woods with the 29th pick overall. We know Woods was extremely talented at Clemson, but he will get far better coaching in the NFL than he did at Clemson. Although his maximum range may not be reached for a few years, he could make a real positive impact on the interior in 2026.

Additionally, Kansas City added some pass-rushing depth on the edge with R Mason Thomas (40th pick overall). The history of the Chiefs coaching staff gives us all the confidence in the world that Jadon Canady (109th overall pick) can develop into a quality rotational cornerback. Credit Kansas City for improving defensively; It was needed.

cleveland browns

As much criticism as the Cleveland Browns organization receives from the public, general manager Andrew Berry knows how to identify talent. In our view, Cleveland was the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and we look forward to seeing both sides of the ball next season.

The focus, naturally, is on an offense that features a new left tackle (Spencer Fano) along with two wide receivers (Casey Concepcion and Denzel Boston) whose skills complement each other perfectly. While there is no true ‘alpha’ receiver on this Browns offense right now, it doesn’t seem to be as necessary at the moment as there is now a good group of playmakers to pair with tight end Harold Fannin Jr.

Cleveland got a deal to land safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, the 58th overall pick, who will make a name for himself as a rookie. Berry also learned what can happen when you don’t have depth on the offensive line, adding swing tackle Austin Barber and center Parker Brailsford. While we can’t be confident that Shedure Sanders is the long-term answer in Cleveland, the right infrastructure is in place to evaluate him now.

RELATED: NFL Power Rankings, evaluating teams after the 2026 NFL Draft

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Entering the 2026 NFL Draft, many eyes were set on the Dallas Cowboys, who began the weekend with the 12th and 20th overall selections in the first round. Some thought the Cowboys might even move up the draft board to secure an elite talent in the top 10 selection.

The Cowboys eventually moved around, moving from 10 to 11 and still acquiring a top prospect in Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. The Cowboys also moved down with their second pick, trading up to the Philadelphia Eagles before selecting UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence with the 23rd overall pick.

Overall, many were happy with what the Cowboys did, adding an impact safety that could control the secondary, and giving a pass-rush group a boost that was desperately needed. Still, not everyone thought the Cowboys made the right decision.

In particular, former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban called the Lawrence selection a “reach”. Still, that was a hot-mic moment they probably didn’t think could be heard on-air. But he was.

Later, when Saban was asked to provide his analysis while the cameras were on him, he strangely had a different opinion, calling Lawrence a “sleeper.”

“Actually, this guy was one of my sleepers for yesterday,” Saban said. “But he’s a good player… This guy is a good player. I thought he was a guy that was going to be overlooked in the draft, but obviously the Cowboys didn’t overlook him.”

“It’s a reach” 😬 pic.twitter.com/60zloMY8nq

– Awful Announcement (@awfulaannouncement) 24 April 2026

Lawrence was widely projected to be selected in the second round, although some analysts believed he had a chance to fall in the late first round. As we’ve seen, it just takes a team to fall in love with a prospect, and that’s clearly what happened with Lawrence in Dallas.

RELATED: 6 best 2026 NFL draft classes including the Bills and Browns

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft has concluded, with the top 32 picks yielding a few surprises and a handful of trades. Although the real results for these teams and players won’t come for years, it’s always fun to have some intense reactions.

Let’s take a look at our winners and losers from the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Winner: New York Giants

It’s highly unlikely the New York Giants have their first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft looking this way. Many viewed All-American linebacker Arvel Reese as the second-best player in the class. If he doesn’t finish second overall, he won’t finish outside the top four. When they were on the clock with the fifth overall pick, New York wasted little time in turning over the cards. What they’ve got is an edge player with an even higher ceiling than Abdul Carter, and he’s far more well-rounded. New York has built a pass-rushing trio of Carter, Reese and Brian Burns that can absolutely wreak havoc in Denard Wilson’s system.

Once that was added, the Giants’ focus turned to helping Jackson Dart and Cam Scatebo. There is a little medical risk with Francis Mauigoa, but he is arguably the best offensive lineman in the 2026 NFL Draft. New York has the option to kick him inside to save, where he could be a phenomenal starter. This is also just a backup plan if he doesn’t excel at right tackle. Great teams invest in the trenches, and New York did that tonight and got great value as well.

Loser: Arizona Cardinals

We saw Jeremiah Love as the best player in the 2026 NFL Draft. He comes in and immediately becomes one of the best NFL running backs right now; As a prospect, he’s just one level below Bijan Robinson. The problem is that the right side of the Arizona Cardinals offensive line is abysmal, and they don’t have a viable quarterback that defenses have to actually respect, let alone fear. This is also ignoring the fact that Arizona signed Tyler Allger this offseason and even worked out a deal to retain James Conner. This pick is reminiscent of the Las Vegas Raiders drafting Ashton Jeanty and effectively wasting the first year of his rookie contract. Oh, let’s also take into account the contract value along with the fact that the contract for the third overall pick would make Love the seventh-highest paid receiver in the NFL. We don’t like the idea of ​​the Tennessee Titans taking Love; This is even worse.

RELATED: 2026 Dynasty Positional Rankings

Winner: Dallas Cowboys

A dream scenario for the Dallas Cowboys. There is a legitimate possibility that All-American safety Caleb Downs was rated as a top-three prospect on the Cowboys draft board. He is the do-it-all defensive player this franchise has needed for over a decade. The instincts he brings to the table are phenomenal, and his football IQ – there’s no better way to highlight the fact that he was a standout starter as a true freshman in Nick Saban’s defense. Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker needed a star who could be the focal point of his secondary; This selection completes that. In three years, we’ll probably be talking about Downs as one of the best safeties in the NFL and one of the biggest reasons for the remarkable defensive turnaround in Dallas.

Loser: Matthew Stafford and the 2026 Los Angeles Rams

The thinking going into this offseason was that the Los Angeles Rams were set to make a run at the Super Bowl next season. A few weeks after Matthew Stafford committed to return in 2026, Les Snead traded a first-round pick for Trent McDuffie and then signed Jaylen Watson to play boundary cornerback. They all suggested the Rams would use the 13th overall pick on a wide receiver, right tackle or another defender. Instead, Snead and head coach Sean McVay took quarterback Ty Simpson.

Obviously, Simpson won’t see the field in 2026 unless disaster strikes for Los Angeles. This in itself, without any additional context, is a good thing as he has only 15 career starts and is not even close to being NFL ready. In fact, that’s one reason why many don’t see him as a legitimate first-round talent, even in a draft class that’s relatively weak. The Rams took him 13th overall. Stafford must be disappointed; Los Angeles made a move that took it no closer to winning the Lombardi Trophy. As far as the Rams’ future goes, there’s still a very good chance Simpson ends up being a league-average starter.

RELATED: Los Angeles Rams surprise draft of Ty Simpson

Winner: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers probably dreamed of a night like this during the pre-draft process. Ahead of the NFL Combine, Miami edge rusher Reuben Benn Jr. was viewed as a consensus top-10 prospect, who could even be a top-five pick. His stock then declined slightly due to his short arms, and it is fitting that there is no modern example of an edge rusher with sub-31 inch arms who has recorded double-digit sacks in a season in the NFL. That said, what Bane showed in some of Miami’s biggest games, coupled with his winning ways, led us to believe he could be a standout player. The Buccaneers have been in desperate need of a true No. 1 edge rusher for several years, and they finally have one.

Loser: Jermod McCoy

An injury can change everything for a young player, which is what makes the NIL era so big. Jermod McCoy was an All-American cornerback in 2024 and tore his ACL during a workout a month later. He sat out the 2025 season and this allowed him to be healthy for the pre-draft process, regaining his status as a top 10 prospect. Unfortunately, reports have indicated that McCoy may need knee surgery for a second time and how much he will be able to play in 2026 is now a real question. Due to this, he was eliminated from Round 1. It was an incredibly tough night for McCoy and clearly the road ahead looks like a long one for him.

Winner: Cleveland Browns

A great night for the Cleveland Browns. Seeing an opportunity to trade down from the sixth overall pick, while still getting his guy, Andrew Berry took the 74th and 178th picks overall. He still got the guy he wanted, offensive tackle Spencer Fano, 10th overall. He’s a plug-and-play starter, even though we don’t know what position he’ll take on the Browns’ offensive line. Cleveland desperately needed to strengthen their pass protection, and adding Fano does just that, while also adding a third-round pick to go with it.

Later in Round 1, Cleveland helped Chedure Sanders even more. While Casey Concepcion may never be a No. 1 wide receiver, his playmaking with the ball in his hands is reminiscent of Jaylen Waddle. He’s also a weapon as a returner. Cleveland rebuilt its offensive line this offseason and now has an offensive core of Concepcion, Quinshawn Judkins, Isaiah Bonds and Harold Fannin Jr. This franchise is really building a better long-term infrastructure for its franchise quarterback, whether that’s long-term.

Loser: Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers spent the 22nd overall pick on a 25-year-old edge rusher with durability concerns. That’s because of how desperate this team is for pass-rushing help, especially with defensive wizard Jesse Minter out of the building. Akhim Messidor is a solid player, but prospects with his yellow flags (age and medical) are generally selected in the top-50. Desperation to fill a need and a relatively weak 2026 NFL Draft forced the move. This could work out fine, but it’s really the best-case scenario, and there’s no long-term benefit to it, as Messidor will be close to 30 when his rookie contract expires.

Winner: Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs defense showed off again tonight. If you want to know how much confidence Steve Spagnuolo has in Mansur Delaney, trading up to get him with the ninth overall pick shows it. This is an organization that has a great track record in drafting and developing cornerbacks; Dellen is in the perfect position to be the No. 1 cornerback. Also, unlike Trent McDuffie, Dellen is a much better fit on the perimeter. To top it all off, he knocked out Peter Woods in Round 1. Before a poor season at Clemson, he was viewed as a potential top-five selection. There were still flashes of that ability last season, and now he has the opportunity to learn from Chris Jones. Kansas City will have hit two home runs with its first-round pick tonight, and a new defense is a big step toward returning to Super Bowl contention.

Loser: Seattle Seahawks

It feels like Rashaad Penny all over again. The Seattle Seahawks made it clear to anyone who would listen that they would prefer to trade down from the 32nd overall pick. Why? Because they were in dire need of more draft capital. With all the trades made ahead of him, it seems as if he was taken off the selection board for the team. So, clearly in desperate need of a running back, they reached out to Jadarion Price. He is the clear-cut RB2 in the 2026 NFL Draft, and if he weren’t on the same team with Jeremiah Love he would probably be the starter at many programs. Still, his skill set makes him the best fit for a running back on the committee, and the Seahawks used a first-round pick on him. It’s a baffling choice, and it’s highly likely that this choice will seem even more foolish two years from now.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

While there has been much discussion about the Dallas Cowboys trading up in Round 1 of the NFL Draft, owner and general manager Jerry Jones has poured cold water on the idea.

In the first round of the 2026 draft tonight, there has been an unusual amount of trade discussion. This year’s class is weak at quarterback, so teams ranked in the top 10 seem to be more open to the idea of ​​moving down to get more draft assets this year or next.

This bodes well for a team like the Cowboys as they have two selections in the top 20 of this year’s event. Furthermore, Jones has always shown a willingness to take bold steps during his reign. So trading up for players like Texas Tech’s David Bailey, or Ohio State’s Arvel Reese and Sonny Styles in the top three or five seems plausible as they could help fill the void left by last year’s Micah Parsons trade.

Jerry Jones won’t call for trade in NFL Draft

However, it doesn’t seem like Jones has any intention of being as aggressive in completing a trade as speculation has suggested. In a recent interview (h/t Pro Football Talk), Jones revealed that although he has been getting calls about a trade, he is in no rush to pick up the phone and make a deal to go after Bailey, Reese or Styles.

But why would he choose not to be aggressive enough to make a move? Well, it seems Jones now believes the Cowboys would be better off being patient. “[Trade offers are] It’s generally better to come in than out, obviously. The results are better for us,” Jones said.

This is a pretty surprising opinion from a man who has never been afraid to take risks when it comes to adding potential stars or impactful players. Although Cowboys fans are hoping the team will move to get an elite pass rusher, it seems like Jones is okay with keeping his picks at Nos. 12 and 20, respectively, if he doesn’t like the trade up offers he receives.

It also can’t be ruled out that Jones is hesitant in the hopes that the current offers get better in Round 1 tonight.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Claiming the 12th and 20th overall picks in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys will emerge from Thursday as a better team. After allowing the most points in the NFL in 2025, many expect the Cowboys to turn their attention to defense with one or possibly both selections.

Of course, trading for a top prospect could change those plans. Still, given how well the Cowboys have drafted, they’d probably prefer to have two selections in the first round. The other interesting thing is that the Cowboys often target a player that some analysts believe is a reach, a surprise or even a shocking selection.

Recently, when Essential Sports’ NFL insider Tony Pauline was asked which teams and/or players could lead to a “shocking” selection in the first round of the draft, he didn’t hesitate to name the Cowboys.

As mentioned, the Cowboys have a recent history of making surprise picks in the first round. One could argue they’ve done this in each of the last four drafts, selecting Tyler Booker, Tyler Guyton, Mazzie Smith and Tyler Smith.

If they select someone like Johnson or Rodriguez, especially at age 20, both would qualify as surprise picks, as both players are viewed as more likely to come off the board on the first, if not the second, day of the NFL Draft.

RELATED: Dallas Cowboys Draft Rumors: Trade Update + Key Prospect Watch

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

The Dallas Cowboys have plenty of cap space ahead of next week’s 2026 NFL Draft. While the Cowboys have the 12th overall and 20th picks in the first round, they also have a lot of needs, especially on a defense that gave up the NFL’s most points a season ago.

Many draft analysts predict the Cowboys will double up on defensive prospects by focusing both of their first-round selections on that side of the ball. Others believe a trade could be in the works for one of the draft’s best defensive prospects.

If the Cowboys package their first-round selection together to acquire a top prospect, Dallas may have to get creative to address other needs on their roster. This may involve another trade involving a proven professional rather than more novices.

Recently, Albert Breuer’s Sports Illustrated There have been suggestions that the Cowboys are a team the Indianapolis Colts could look at as they look for a trade partner for cornerback Kenny Moore. The two sides recently agreed to seek a trade this offseason, and that process could yield results at some point during the upcoming three-day draft event.

Breyer believes Moore could be available for the equivalent of a third-day draft pick. If so, the Cowboys could get the former Pro Bowl cornerback at a fraction of the normal cost.

Cornerback is one of the positions commonly targeted by Cowboys mock drafts. Still, with this trade, Dallas may not feel as much urgency to address the position at the top of the draft and may feel more comfortable circling back to upgrade the secondary later in the selection process.

If Moore can indeed be a third-day draft selection, we would imagine he would generate a lot of interest. After all, teams, especially contenders, can never have too many capable cornerbacks.

RELATED: Dallas Cowboys trying to get ahead of rival team in 2026 NFL Draft?

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

A pair of reports are very good news for the Dallas Cowboys landing one of two NFL Draft prospects that is very much their cup of tea.

We’re just a few weeks away from this year’s draft, and there’s been a lot of speculation about what the Cowboys will do. Due to another losing season and a major trade before the trade deadline, they entered this month’s event with not one, but two selections in the top 20.

After back-to-back seven-win campaigns, getting a pair of elite prospects gives Dallas a chance to address two issues on the roster. However, having two first-rounders also gives them a pair of very good assets to move up and project a player to go in the top 10.

According to ESPN NFL expert Jordan Reed, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and Miami edge rusher Ruben Benn Jr. are players the Cowboys brain trust believes are worth giving up multiple draft assets to move on and get. However, new discussion around the game is suggesting the team could land a trade without it.

Caleb Downs in a losing streak to the Dallas Cowboys at 12?

In a recent conversation with Blogging the Boys, ESPN draft expert Peter Schrager pointed out that, despite Downs being one of the best players in this year’s class and having a very high football IQ, the trend from past years shows that teams will always look to get stud cornerbacks, pass rushers and wide receivers to provide good defenses if they need them at those spots.

In 2022, Kyle Hamilton was projected to be selected in the top 10 and the Baltimore Ravens went 14th. Four years before that, Derwin James was projected to go in the top 10 and was taken 18th by the Los Angeles Chargers. And last year, Nick Emmanvori was expected to go in the first round and lost in the second round. That’s why Downs’ loss to the Cowboys at 12 seems very plausible.

Is Reuben Benn Jr. no longer ready to go into the top 10?

On Friday, fellow ESPN draft expert Field Yates made a bold prediction. Ben Jr. will drop out of the top 10. He told why. “There are some scouts who are skeptical of a team taking a super pick too early. Teams that could take a chance are the New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals (8-10, respectively), but there’s a chance he’s still in the teens.”

So, despite all the talk about the Cowboys potentially trading up in Round 1 to get Downs or Ben Jr., there is a growing belief that a dream scenario could emerge this month where Dallas could get either in the early rounds and still have another pick.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

A new report has revealed that two Dallas Cowboys players would be willing to trade future draft assets to move up and take a pick in this month’s NFL Draft.

There are just over a week left in April, and that means the 2026 edition of the NFL Draft is just a few weeks away. Going into this year’s event, the Cowboys have a pair of picks in the top 20 due to their seven-win season last year and landing an additional first-rounder in a deal before the trade deadline.

Dallas has been linked to a variety of players, with picks 12 and 20 respectively. And acquiring two top 20 talents in this year’s class should be seen as a coup for a Cowboys team that is coming off back-to-back losing seasons. However, it also gives them some assets that they can use to get into the top 10 or maybe the top five.

As we get closer to the event, rumors continue to circulate that Dallas is willing to give up their Round 1 pick and possibly even more to take a player who can make an immediate difference in 2026. But who are the cowboys they love so much that they would take such a bold step? A new report highlights the top 10 prospects they’re big fans of.

The Cowboys are willing to trade up in the draft for Caleb Downs and Reuben Benn Jr.

“A trade remains a possibility, especially if they have a player on their board who is a little behind,” reports ESPN NFL expert Jordan Reed. “Safety Caleb Downs (Ohio State) and edge rusher Reuben Benn Jr. (Miami) are believed to be players the Cowboys will maneuver for, as Dallas reportedly views both as game changers with immediate impact on defense.”

Ben Jr. was a controversial figure at the NFL Combine due to his arms being short by NFL standards. However, the stud pass rusher was a key part of the Hurricanes team that reached the national championship game in January as he posted 9.5 sacks, 54 tackles and 15.5 tackles for loss.

Downs is viewed as one of the most NFL-ready players in this year’s class. Because of his impressive versatility at safety and very high football IQ.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

A new ESPN NFL mock draft shows a player who is often projected to be picked in the top five this month will fall to the Dallas Cowboys at No. 12 overall.

After another seven win season, the Cowboys need to improve their selection in this month’s NFL Draft. Fortunately for Dallas, they will have a chance to add two top-20 players to the event after acquiring an additional first-round pick before this season’s trade deadline.

Along with their two selections in Round 1 – 12 and 20, respectively – the Cowboys have been linked to a variety of stud prospects, including Tennessee cornerback Jerrod McCoy and Washington receiver Denzel Boston. However, along with two first-rounders, they have also been linked to a top-five trade-up to land one of the best players in this year’s class.

However, they may not need to give up one of those selections in order to bring elite talent to the event. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Peter Scherzer released his new NFL mock draft, and at pick 12, he has the Cowboys getting Ohio State star safety Caleb Downs.

Caleb Downs stats: 68 tackles, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions

He wrote, “Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia told me on ‘The Schrager Hour’ that Downs will be the smartest player on whichever team drafts him and should be the face of the franchise.” “The Cowboys need that on defense, even if the safety isn’t given the same importance as a pass rusher or cornerback.

“Downs can team up with Jalen Thompson and Malik Hooker and help cut down the big plays that plagued Dallas last season. If he’s on the board, he’ll be a steal at No. 12.”

There has been much speculation that Downs could go fifth to the New York Giants. Additionally, many draft analysts view him as one of the most NFL-ready players in this year’s class due to his impressive versatility and high football IQ. The All-American and Jim Thorpe Award winner had 68 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions and a sack last season.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The Dallas Cowboys, in existence since 1960, have had several franchise icons who have helped them win five Super Bowls in the process. Wearing a star on one’s helmet, let alone becoming a bona fide superstar, often immortalizes a player in the eyes of Cowboys fans.

This was certainly the case with Emmitt Smith, who is not the franchise’s all-time leader in rushing yards; He currently holds the record for most rushing yards in the NFL. While the Hall of Fame running back’s Cowboys career ended after 2002, now his son, EJ, is starting his NFL career.

What’s even more interesting is that the Cowboys recently hosted EJ, who is also a running back, for a workout with the team. Smith is from Texas A&M, where he was primarily a backup. Smith finished his college career with 207 rushing attempts for 969 yards and nine touchdowns. He is not viewed as a top prospect, and may not even be drafted.

“Awesome,” Schottenheimer said, via ESPN. “You know me, man, I’m family. I’m family all the way. And you watch his film and he was an unbelievable short distance runner, powerful. But, yeah, just watching him run, seeing him in person, the type of young man he is, it’s cool.”

Smith is not counted among the team’s official ‘top-30 prospects’ because he is a local prospect. Still, perhaps by getting the chance to meet the Cowboys’ coaches, including Brian Schottenheimer, Smith was able to make a strong impression on Dallas’ front office. This may increase his chances of being drafted or signed as an undrafted free agent. If nothing else, it’s a good story for Cowboys fans.

RELATED: NFL executive questions Dallas Cowboys offseason moves, roster building

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A new report on an upcoming meeting between the Dallas Cowboys and a top NFL Draft prospect looks to open the door to a trade in Round 1 of next month’s event.

After a disappointing 7-9-1 finish to the 2025 season, the Cowboys will look to further improve their roster in April’s draft. While last season was bad at times, a pro having a bad year is a premium pick next month, and Dallas would especially go 12th overall in Round 1. Additionally, they also have the 20th pick after being traded up last season.

Over the past few weeks, various mock drafts have linked him to LSU corner Mansur Delaney, Auburn edge Keldrick Faulk and Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman. Strong prospect, but not the best of the best in the 2026 class from college football. However, it seems the team is looking to select a top-five level player in Round 1.

Are the Dallas Cowboys interested in trading for Sonny Styles?

During Thursday’s appearance up and adamsOhio State star linebacker Sonny Styles revealed the Cowboys are one of the teams he will be meeting with in the coming days.

Stiles was viewed as a potential top 10 selection earlier this year. However, his outstanding performance at the NFL Combine last month raised his stock significantly. Now, some mock drafts have him going as No. 2 to the New York Jets — a team Styles recently met with — and as No. 3 to the Arizona Cardinals.

It is always difficult to trade in one of those slots. However, due to having a weak quarterback class this year, both the Jets and Cardinals could be willing to acquire two first-rounders from the Cowboys and add two top 20 players to this year’s class. Since both teams need more roster help than Dallas does.

Styles is a fantastic athlete who could be a game-changer for Dallas in 2026 if they choose to move up and select him.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Alabama star Ty Simpson is one of the more divisive prospects in next month’s NFL Draft. Draft evaluators know the quarterback is talented, but the big question is what is his potential? Scouts only have one season of tape to look at as a starter. And while he was great for most of the year, he went backwards in the last month of the year, but it wasn’t necessarily all his fault.

Simpson is likely to be taken at some point in Round 1, or early in Round 2, and teams such as the Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New York Jets have been linked to the QB prospect. However, this week, veteran draft expert Todd McShay claimed there is a mystery team that has not been considered as “hidden” as the Simpson movers in the evaluation process.

With that in mind, let’s speculate who the mysterious team interested in Simpson might be.

miami dolphins

It’s been a busy offseason for the Miami Dolphins. They have moved on from several veterans, including former starting QB Tua Tagovailoa. They replaced him in free agency with Malik Willis, the best signal caller on the market. However, the Liberty alum is far from a sure thing.

It’s not out of the question that Miami invests a Day 2 pick at some safety if Willis disappoints. At the very least, they can try to develop the Alabama star and look to trade him in the future.

indianapolis colts

The Indianapolis Colts are in a mess in the QB room. They should have Daniel Jones back in 2026, but he is returning from a nagging condition, so it’s unclear when he’ll be available to play. Additionally, backup first-round bust Anthony Richardson is looking for a trade. So, as of now, fifth-round pick Riley Leonard looks to be in line to start in Week 1.

While they feel Jones can be their franchise QB for a long time, his health is a big question mark. Also, he is not tied to any long-term deal. Simpson could be Indianapolis’ Plan B if they can’t rely on the former New York Giants QB.

carolina panthers

This is a make or break season for former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young. If the Carolina Panthers QB can’t take a leap forward and become a consistent impact player, the team will move on. While they have a solid backup option in Kenny Pickett, he is also an unsuccessful starter on the other team.

The organization has enough evidence not to believe it, so it would be understandable if they were a mystery team taking a close look at Simpson as an option in Round 2.

Los Angeles Rams

Before trading one of their picks in Round 1, the Los Angeles Rams were viewed as a potential suitor for Ty Simpson. There’s a very real possibility that this is Matthew Stafford’s final season, so LA should start preparing for life after the reigning MVP. It wouldn’t be surprising if they try to trade up in Round 2 and go after the Alabama QB as Stafford’s successor in 2027 or 2028.

dallas cowboys

Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones is very unpredictable. Some people hoped they would actually trade top star Micah Parsons, but they lost out last fall. That’s why Dak Prescott shouldn’t assume a roster spot is secure for the remainder of his contract.

The soon-to-be 33-year-old has a huge contract that is increasingly limiting the team’s cap flexibility. It wouldn’t be surprising if Jones is already thinking about replacing him, and Simpson could be an interesting option in Round 2. Prescott’s contract remains a stumbling block, and unless Prescott leads Dallas to the Super Bowl, it seems unlikely he will be able to accomplish that in 2028.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The Dallas Cowboys wasted little time this offseason before placing the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens, ensuring that the All-Pro wideout could not reach the open market. The focus now turns to how long he’ll stay in Dallas and whether or not he’ll stay this summer.

Regarding this situation, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated wrote that he believed it was “likely” for Pickens to eventually sign a one-year franchise tender and play the 2026 NFL season as a contract year.

RELATED: Dallas Cowboys make three Max Crosby trade offers

After being acquired by Dallas last offseason, Pickens enjoyed the best season of his career. The 6-foot-3 wide receiver earned second-team All-Pro honors after setting personal bests in receptions (93), receiving yards (1,429) and touchdowns (nine). ^{He had five 100-yard games and scored a touchdown in eight different contests.}

Pickens, who turned 25 in early March, played in all 17 games and largely shrugged off concerns about his maturity and consistency. He proved he could produce both as a No. 1 receiver when CeeDee Lamb was sidelined and as a secondary target when his fellow All-Pro wideout was on the field.

Dallas will explore contract negotiations with him this summer, but it could prove complicated. The Jackson Smith-Njigba contract extension ($42.15 million average annual value) and Puka Nakua’s impending extension will push the prices of wide receivers even higher.

While Pickens will likely play on the $27.298 million franchise tag, which is fully guaranteed, there is also hope he could stick around during training camp and this saga could extend into August. He will almost certainly suit up for the Cowboys next season, but there remains a lot of doubt about his long-term future in Dallas.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The Dallas Cowboys knew they had to make a change after finishing with just a 7-9-1 record and missing the postseason in 2025. After giving up more points than any other team last season, one area they had to fix was scoring defense. The good news is that Dallas has made several upgrades so far.

The Cowboys have added defensive lineman Otito Ogbonia, outside linebacker Rashaan Gary, safety Jalen Thompson, running back PJ Lock and cornerback Kobe Durant. Nevertheless, they also traded Osa Odighizuwa to the 49ers. Overall, the Cowboys feel like they have improved on defense overall, but that doesn’t mean they have accomplished all of their top goals.

according to athleticAlong with John Makota, the Cowboys also expressed interest in signing middle linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker. Somehow, both of them ended up signing with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ need at middle linebacker has not yet been addressed elsewhere. Machota believes this could be an area that gets resolved early in the 2026 NFL Draft, where the Cowboys have two first-round picks.

While the Cowboys have the 12th and 20th overall picks in the first round, as Machota said, they could also turn to the trade market. With eight selections in the upcoming draft, the Cowboys have enough trade capital to execute a deal. They have already discussed a trade for a former Pro Bowl middle linebacker.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft After NFL Free Agency Negotiation Window

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The Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers are two of the NFL’s most famous franchises. After all, they are two of four NFL franchises with four or more Super Bowl wins. Yet, playing in different conferences, we rarely see them clash with each other.

Now that it’s the offseason, both teams can do some business business.

according to Fort Worth Star-TelegramNick Harris, several teams have called the Steelers about trading for linebacker Patrick Queen. Harris says the Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles are two teams that have called up the two-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker.

Harris says the Cowboys entered free agency with several MLB targets in mind, but their board was “pretty much wiped out” on the first day of negotiations. This led them to turn their attention elsewhere, possibly toward a trade for Queens, whom the Steelers are reportedly hanging on to for a mid-round draft pick.

The Cowboys look to continue upgrading their defense after allowing the NFL’s most points in 2025. They have traded for pass-rusher Rashaan Gary and signed safety Jalen Thompson, but Dallas still needs another middle linebacker with Kenneth Murray set for free agency.

Rani could be a good fit. The 26-year-old player has never missed a game in his six-year career. He has recorded 100 or more tackles in five of his six seasons of play, including last year. Queen would definitely help set the tone in Dallas, if they could get her out of Pittsburgh.

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After years of trade rumors, Max Crosby was finally dealt to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for two first-round picks. Reports leading up to the Ravens’ blockbuster trade for the five-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher revealed that the Raiders were waiting for an offer that included two first-round picks targeting a ‘Micah Parsons’ deal. Many people were skeptical.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys were confident they would win the Crosby trade sweepstakes. He even thought his deal for Crosby was almost done. However, when other teams stepped up with offers of two first-round selections, the Cowboys’ confidence diminished.

So, what did the Cowboys offer the Raiders in exchange for Crosby?

According to ESPN’s NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, the Cowboys offered their first-round pick (No. 12 overall – two slots ahead of Baltimore’s offer), a future second-round pick (possibly in 2027), as well as an undisclosed veteran player for Crosby. The Cowboys were unwilling to part with two first-round picks.

Apparently, the Raiders declined, believing they received a better offer from Baltimore. Unless the veteran player was an impact starter, we’d argue that Las Vegas actually accepted a better offer from the Ravens.

The Cowboys, despite reportedly “keeping an eye on Crosby for a long time” and “loving” him, determined that he was not worth trading for two first-round picks. The Ravens felt otherwise.

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Jerry Jones has never been afraid to make a big deal. The Dallas Cowboys have proven this time and again. Whether it’s a record-setting contract extension or trading their best player a week before the season starts, the Cowboys aren’t afraid to be bold.

Nevertheless, the Cowboys are still looking to replace the pass-rushing production that Micah Parsons was known for. That could change this offseason. Obviously, the Cowboys have already tried.

According to ESPN’s Trey Wingo, the Cowboys “thought” they completed a trade for Maxx Crosby last night. Nevertheless, the Las Vegas Raiders backed out after receiving several other offers, including a first-round pick, for the five-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher.

Wingo reports that the Cowboys now plan to sign Trey Hendrickson in free agency, where he won’t have to part with any draft compensation.

If Wingo’s report is accurate, it means the Raiders are indeed not only willing to trade Crosby, but they may also be close to making a deal. Previous reports indicated that a Crosby trade could be conducted as soon as “this week.”

While the Cowboys appear to be trading out Crosby, other teams are apparently willing to break the bank for the 28-year-old sack artist. The Raiders have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but they will likely gain another first-round selection because of the Crosby trade. Perhaps that selection could be an attempt to replace Crosby.

RELATED: Dallas Cowboys may reportedly trade All-Pro player after career year

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The Dallas Cowboys are in for another expensive offseason. They are already locked in contract negotiations with a star who wants the highest salary at his position. There may also be a deadlock over the contract of another superstar coming after a year of his career.

The Cowboys have already placed the franchise tag on second-team All-Pro wide receiver George Pickens. The tag for receivers pays Pickens $27 million, well below the market rate of $40 million for superstar receivers. Pickens ranks third in the NFL with 1,429 receiving yards this season, and he will still be only 25 when the 2026 season starts.

Players generally want to avoid the franchise tag, and the same may be the case with Pickens. After all, a long-term contract at a higher rate will provide greater long-term financial security than a one-year deal below market value.

However, placing the franchise tag may not be the last we hear from the Cowboys regarding Pickens’ status this offseason.

According to NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports, the Cowboys could also trade Pickens now that they have franchise-tagged him.

The Packers used this mentality to tag and trade Davante Adams to the Raiders in 2022. However, the Cowboys have shown no signs of Pickens being available this offseason. Sure, it’s a great way to create leverage, but Pickens appears destined to remain in Dallas until at least 2026.

Perhaps the Cowboys can dispel these silly rumors by getting their new superstar receiver under contract for just over the 2026 season, where he and CeeDee Lamb will form one of the NFL’s best receiver tandems for years to come.

RELATED: Max Crosby trade could happen very soon; NFL Insider Link 7 Teams

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Like last offseason, the Dallas Cowboys have some decisions to make on some of their star players. George Pickens is coming off a career year in which he earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl. But now he is ready for free agency, and the Cowboys intend to assign him the franchise tag.

Meanwhile, another Cowboys star, All-Pro kicker Brandon Oubre, is also set for free agency, and the team is having difficulty agreeing on his contract value.

according to dallas morning news‘Calvin Watkins, the Cowboys have already made Oubre a strong contract offer, which would make him the highest-paid kicker in NFL history. The Cowboys have reportedly offered Oubre a contract worth approximately $7.5 million in annual salary. The NFL’s highest-paid kicker, Harrison Butker, is making approximately $6.4 million per season.

Meanwhile, Oubre reportedly wants a salary of $10 million after earning Pro Bowl honors in all three of his seasons with the team. However, the Cowboys likely knew that a contract standoff with their kicker was coming.

The two sides have apparently been negotiating an extension since before the 2025 season began. Nevertheless, Oubre responded with another strong season, making 10 50+ yard field goals for the third time in his career, and earning second-team All-Pro honors in the process.

Some would argue that Oubre is the best kicker in the NFL. If not the best, it’s very close. Thus, if the Cowboys are unwilling to pay Oubre what they feel he is worth, it is possible that his time in Dallas is limited.

For now, Oubre is a restricted free agent, which gives the Cowboys a chance to match any offer that comes his way. Still, if a long-term deal is not reached, Oubre could hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent next season. With another excellent season, the Cowboys may have to see their star player’s value rise before sitting down to the negotiating table again.

RELATED: Dallas Cowboys ‘open’ to blockbuster offer involving key trade assets

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Last year, just before the season started, the Dallas Cowboys surprised everyone by selling the face of their franchise, Micah Parsons. The Cowboys received Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round picks in the Parsons trade. Now they may be ready to trade one of their top assets again this offseason.

Recently, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones revealed that the team is “open-minded” to trading one of its two first-round selections in the 2026 NFL Draft.

“It’s hard to project, but we’re definitely open-minded,” Jones said. “If the right guy fits, if he’s a perfect fit, we’ll definitely look at it.”

The Cowboys have the 12th and 20th picks in the first round, the latter of which stems from the Parsons trade with the Packers. Dallas acquired two star defensive tackles last season, and now they are switching to a multiple defense with a 3-4 base scheme.

It’s possible they’ll use some of their draft compensation and cap space to acquire another proven edge rusher to help offset the loss of Parsons. Either way, with Pro Bowl receiver George Pickens set for free agency, the Cowboys will have some big decisions this offseason, and trading a first-round pick could certainly be part of the equation.

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