Cowboys' Draft Visits Hint at Potential Trade Down

Dallas has a growing list of top prospects visiting, but few projected in the middle of the first round.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 4:57pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented football field or draft stage, with sharp, overlapping planes in the official colors of the Dallas Cowboys.The Dallas Cowboys' pre-draft visit strategy suggests they may be open to trading down in the first round to add more depth on Day 2.Dallas Today

The Dallas Cowboys own two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, leading to speculation about whether they will take two impact players, trade up, or potentially trade down. An analysis of the team's growing list of pre-draft visits suggests the Cowboys may be positioning themselves to trade out of the No. 20 overall pick, as they have no visitors projected to be selected between picks 11-22.

Why it matters

The Cowboys have historically been aggressive in the draft, but a trade down could allow them to add more depth on Day 2 where the team has found success in recent years. This strategy could provide the team with more draft capital to address needs on both sides of the ball.

The details

The Cowboys currently own the No. 12 and No. 20 overall picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Their list of Top 30 pre-draft visits shows interest in several players projected to be selected in the top 15, but then a gap with other players projected in the late first round. This could indicate the team's willingness to trade out of the No. 20 pick if their top targets are not available at No. 12.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place in just over a week.

The players

Jerry Jones

The owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys.

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What they’re saying

“If this isn't a hint that the Cowboys are trading out of pick 20, I don't know what is.”

— Dan Rogers, Cowboys reporter

What’s next

The Cowboys will have to decide whether to keep both of their first-round picks, trade up, or potentially trade down when the 2026 NFL Draft begins on April 24th.

The takeaway

The Cowboys' pre-draft visit strategy suggests they may be positioning themselves to trade out of the No. 20 overall pick, allowing them to add more depth on Day 2 of the draft where the team has found success in recent years.