League expecting a trade heavy draft

[Risen Star]

The expectation among many NFL teams is that the 2026 draft will be one of the more trade-heavy drafts in recent memory, according to multiple league sources.

Specifically, on the defensive side of the ball — EDGE, CB and LB are all strong/deep — while WR is typically considered to be the most talented offensive position.

Several executives I’ve spoken with believe we’re likely to see a flurry of activity in the first half of Round 1.

Additionally, because this specific draft lacks depth in the later rounds, many teams plan to pursue extra Day 2 and early Day 3 picks, per league sources.

 

[J12B]

Oh, ok.

 

[gtb1943]

I just think at 12 we are not in a good spot to trade down for more picks.

 

[Hardline]

I would expect very little trading

 

[JBS]

I just think at 12 we are not in a good spot to trade down for more picks.

Good because we are going up

 

[CowboyoWales]

I just think at 12 we are not in a good spot to trade down for more picks.

My concern (and im a trade-up to Cleveland for 6 and 39) is that #20 pick is so unattractive as a trade piece (to trade down), Looking at the chart LV could move up and we get their 36/67, but who's going to be there at 20 to move up for.....indeed the one year extra of control is negated by the loss of 2 contracts.

All hail, the draft up, control our destiny, get Parker's man and 39 should be another great defensive piece.

 

[Pabst]

I'm pretty sure they say this every year.

 

[Rayman70]

Moving up is a mistake.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Moving up is a mistake.

It depends on their board. They seem to like a lot of guys who will be second rounders. So trading up to 6th and getting 39 makes sense depending oh how your board looks.

 

[Rayman70]

This draft isn't great after top 5 and no way am I giving up premium picks to get into the top 5. It would sabotage the entire year. We need bodies. We need extra darts to throw at the dart board. I'm a fan of moving back with the 20th pick.

 

[baltcowboy]

This draft isn't great after top 5 and no way am I giving up premium picks to get into the top 5. It would sabotage the entire year. We need bodies. We need extra darts to throw at the dart board. I'm a fan of moving back with the 20th pick.

I agree with you 100% but the Jones Boys think the Cowboys are a middle of the road defense away from a Super Bowl. Those picks are burning a hole in their pockets. They already gave maybe the most valuable one away to get Quinnen.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I just think at 12 we are not in a good spot to trade down for more picks.

Any spot is a good spot to trade down.

 

[CowboyoWales]

This draft isn't great after top 5 and no way am I giving up premium picks to get into the top 5. It would sabotage the entire year. We need bodies. We need extra darts to throw at the dart board. I'm a fan of moving back with the 20th pick.

Pretty much everyone is in agreement on moving back from #20, but most every 'draft guru' agree's that there's little value in teams moving up, as there's no massive drop off in the 2nd (and 3rd) Rds.....that's why the suggestion of 12/20 for 6/39 appeals.....because that way we control the 'elite' pick, rather than draft what's left at 12.
Who do you think would move up for #20?

 

[gtb1943]

Any spot is a good spot to trade down.

takes two to tango is what I am saying

 

[Bigtex67]

Pretty much everyone is in agreement on moving back from #20, but most every 'draft guru' agree's that there's little value in teams moving up, as there's no massive drop off in the 2nd (and 3rd) Rds.....that's why the suggestion of 12/20 for 6/39 appeals.....because that way we control the 'elite' pick, rather than draft what's left at 12.
Who do you think would move up for #20?

The only teams I see moving up to #20 would be someone who needs a QB and wants Ty Simpson.

 

[Rayman70]

At this point we need darts. Can't be trading them away. We aren't one stud player away. We got holes everywhere.

 

[jazzcat22]

Why are some fans all over trading both 1st round picks for 6 & 39.
To me that is a horrible trade.
This draft is not as bad as what some are making it out to be.
They can come out of this with 5 players in. the top 100. 2 still being very capable starters and the other 3 some solid depth for once, that can become starters.

A player at #6 is not going to be that big of a difference maker. But 5 very good solid player can be.
And at #12, they can still get that difference play maker.

One or two of these players will slip. They always do. Then you take a blue chip players or trade down slightly, and may still get him.

Micah, Ceedee, remember them.

 

[LouBrown]

My concern (and im a trade-up to Cleveland for 6 and 39) is that #20 pick is so unattractive as a trade piece (to trade down), Looking at the chart LV could move up and we get their 36/67, but who's going to be there at 20 to move up for.....indeed the one year extra of control is negated by the loss of 2 contracts.

All hail, the draft up, control our destiny, get Parker's man and 39 should be another great defensive piece.

Correct. This is why you have to trade down from 12.

You might end up reaching at 20 and whatever other first you acquired, but the value of this draft is in picks like 30-75 so having another pick in that range is tremendously valuable.

There are a number of players that teams in the 19-25 range could like (Carolina, Philly, Pitt, LAC) that net another pick in the 50s. Using Carolina as an example, Dallas could go:

19: Chris Johnson
20: Cashius Howell
51: Jake Golday
92: VJ Payne

You're probably reaching 4 times, but you have 4 solid players

 

[ErikWilliamsHeadSlap]

I agree with you 100% but the Jones Boys think the Cowboys are a middle of the road defense away from a Super Bowl. Those picks are burning a hole in their pockets. They already gave maybe the most valuable one away to get Quinnen.

Sure. But the hope is to draft a player like Quinnen in the 1st round.

 

[ErikWilliamsHeadSlap]

Teams are way more particular now, They have exact traits they are looking for to fit their system. That's why teams will trade up. Even in a draft such as this one. Even in the 20-50 range. Because a position might be deep, but the exact traits they are looking for may not be plentiful.