Cowboys Willing To Make Surprise Draft Day Move With 2 First-Round Picks

The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2026 offseason with urgency on one side of the ball.

Defense.

After a turbulent 2025 campaign under former defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, Dallas is reshaping its identity with new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.

But scheme changes alone do not fix personnel gaps.

Talent does.

And the Cowboys suddenly hold one of the more intriguing draft hands in the league.

Two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.

That kind of draft capital creates leverage.

It creates flexibility.

It creates options.

Executive vice president Stephen Jones made that clear this week.

When asked whether Dallas would consider trading one of its first-round selections for a proven veteran, Jones did not shut the door.

“It’s tough to predict. We’re certainly open-minded to it. Always open-minded to trading,” Jones said.

“The right guy fits, the perfect fit, and we would certainly look at it and see if it worked in with what we’re trying to get accomplished.”

That is not a declaration of aggression.

But it is an invitation to speculation.

The Cowboys’ defensive needs are not subtle.

They require pass-rush consistency.

They need back-end stability.

They need physicality in the trenches.

Adding two rookie defenders in Round 1 would address depth and long-term upside.

But it would not immediately transform the unit.

That is where the conversation becomes interesting.

The name that continues to surface is Maxx Crosby.

The Las Vegas Raiders star defensive end has been linked to Dallas in trade chatter dating back to last season’s deadline.

At the time, the Raiders showed no real appetite to move him.

Crosby remains one of the NFL’s premier edge defenders.

His motor is relentless.

His production is consistent.

He impacts both the pass and run game.

Adding a player of that caliber would immediately elevate Parker’s defense.

However, acquiring Crosby would not be inexpensive.

Las Vegas would demand a haul.

Reports indicate they would seek compensation similar to what Dallas received in prior blockbuster deals involving elite defenders.

That likely means multiple premium picks.

It could mean one of the Cowboys’ first-rounders plus additional Day 2 capital.

And here lies the complication.

Dallas does not currently own a second- or third-round selection in the 2026 draft.

That absence changes strategy.

While it is tempting to imagine Crosby lining up opposite the Cowboys’ current defensive core, surrendering significant draft equity may create new roster holes elsewhere.

This is where realism tempers ambition.

Stephen Jones emphasized “the right deal.”

The Cowboys are not operating recklessly.

They are exploring possibilities.

There is a difference.

A more plausible draft-day maneuver could involve trading back rather than trading up.

If Dallas sits at No. 20 overall and does not view a prospect as a perfect schematic fit, moving down becomes logical.

Sliding back into the late first round while acquiring a second- or third-round pick would replenish lost draft capital.

It would restore flexibility.

It would align with long-term roster construction.

Dallas historically values volume in the draft.

The front office has often preferred accumulating picks over consolidating them.

Two first-round selections provide insulation.

They allow Dallas to take one high-upside defender while maneuvering with the other.

Christian Parker’s system will likely emphasize speed and versatility.

That aligns well with drafting young defenders who can be molded.

It also reduces urgency to pursue a high-cost veteran.

The Crosby scenario remains intriguing but improbable.

Las Vegas would demand a package Dallas may not be comfortable offering.

The Cowboys must balance star power against sustainability.

Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones understand the optics of blockbuster trades.

They also understand roster math.

Championship windows are built through layered depth, not just splash acquisitions.

Dallas’ 2025 struggles highlighted defensive breakdowns at multiple levels.

Fixing those issues requires more than one name.

It requires multiple contributors.

Two first-rounders offer that possibility.

They also provide leverage to dictate draft-night dynamics.

Other teams seeking to move up could target Dallas as a partner.

That scenario feels increasingly likely.

The Cowboys’ lack of Day 2 picks creates incentive.

If the board falls unfavorably, trading back could be the most pragmatic solution.

That would allow Dallas to address defense while adding volume.

Still, the open-minded stance from Stephen Jones ensures intrigue will persist.

The Cowboys are not closing any doors.

If a proven defensive star unexpectedly becomes attainable at a reasonable cost, Dallas will evaluate it.

But probability favors measured aggression rather than headline-driven splashes.

The 2026 NFL Draft presents Dallas with opportunity.

Two first-round picks amplify that opportunity.

The franchise must now decide whether to convert that capital into immediate impact or expanded depth.

Either way, the Cowboys have positioned themselves to shape draft night rather than react to it.