Multiple league sources say there’s a prevailing belief that the Cowboys are a team to watch in trade-up scenarios, and that owner Jerry Jones could be prepared to make a bold move.
In Mel Kiper’s final mock, Dallas would push from No. 12 to No. 6 in a blockbuster deal with the Cleveland Browns to land Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, with Dallas sending its first-round selections (12 and 20) while receiving Cleveland’s No. 39 second-rounder in return.
Todd McShay likewise foresees a Cowboys–Browns trade to No. 6 for Styles, proposing Dallas send No. 12 and No. 92 plus a 2027 second-rounder in exchange for the Browns’ No. 6 pick. Both analysts view Styles as a natural fit for Dallas’ defense.
Sonny Styles is projected as a high-impact add: he’s 6-foot-5, 244 pounds, ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, and posted an elite athletic profile (43.5-inch vertical, standout explosiveness). He began his career as a safety and has logged productive tackling totals (including 83 tackles with multiple tackles for loss, passes defended, and a game-changing play repertoire).
Dallas’ defense ranked near the bottom of the league last season, emphasizing why a major upgrade at linebacker—especially one with Styles’ ceiling—has drawn strong interest and speculation among experts and teams ahead of the draft.
Overall, the discussions center on Sonny Styles as a premier target for Dallas and the possibility of a trade to pair him with a top-10 selection. As the draft approaches, the Cowboys’ potential maneuver remains a major storyline for observers and fans alike.
