NFL Draft Trade Rumors: Cowboys, Browns, Titans
The first-round of the 2026 NFL Draft is only four days away, and rumors persist concerning a wild Day 1 of potential trades. The Cowboys have been a frequent subject in trade rumors, with many asserting that the team could be looking to trade up into the top 10.
The consensus belief is that, even without a trade, the Cowboys’ two first-round picks will be used on defense. Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports believes new defensive coordinator Christian Parker will have some influence on the team’s draft plan, which should guarantee two new first-round defenders. Jones asserts that, if the team does trade up, the trade won’t include their second first-rounder, considering they won’t be picking again until pick No. 92. NFL insider Jason La Canfora posited that the trade up target for Dallas could be LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane or Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler confirms that all eyes are on the Cowboys, who many expect to be eager to move up “due to obvious defensive needs.” So far, though, Dallas has not been “overly active” on the phones just yet. He reports the team is “open-minded about (a) potential move but also (is) comfortable staying put.”
Here are a few other draft rumors concerning teams looking to trade on Day 1 of the NFL draft:
- The Browns could be a target for Dallas if they do decide to move. Per La Canfora, Cleveland is widely expected to drop out of the top 10 picks. The team currently holds pick Nos. 6 and 24 in the first round of the draft, but even that may not be enough to fill the holes on their roster. The Browns are notorious for trading down, and if the sixth overall pick doesn’t present a strong chance at major improvement, they may move to add some additional draft capital.
- As Fowler mentioned above that the Cowboys had not been active on the phones, he did report a belief that the recent phone work around the league seems to indicate that the Titans could be looking to trade back from the fourth overall pick. A year removed from landing the No. 1 overall pick, Tennessee still has quite a few holes on the roster. Some have connected the team to Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love or Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles in recent predictions. Earlier on in process, it was rumored that a reunion between quarterback Cam Ward and college teammates right tackle Francis Mauigoa or defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. was in the cards. Love and Styles may make sense in their current slot, but moving back may allow Tennessee to target Mauigoa or Bain.
WR Draft Notes: Branch, Tate, Tyson
A week after some controversial draft reporting opened up discussions on journalistic ethics, another story was reported this afternoon concerning the arrest of another high-projected draft pick. An uncredited ESPN report disclosed today that Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch was arrested late-Saturday night/early-Sunday morning on two possible misdemeanor charges.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero quickly followed up the report describing the situation as Branch being “arrested while standing on a public sidewalk for not moving far enough when a police officer asked him to move.” Pelissero’s version of events comes from a copy of the police report of the incident. The report describes Branch as a male who “continued to stand on the sidewalk without making an attempt to move.” It goes on to say that, upon receiving commands and threats of citation, Branch “smirked” and “stepped backwards and to the right” but “remained standing upon the public sidewalk.”
The officer placed him under arrest for “misdemeanor Obstruction of LEO and (he) received a citation for Obstructing Public Sidewalks.” Mike Garafolo, also of NFL Network, reached out to a few teams’ personnel departments, and while some claimed they would do the requisite research on it over the next few days, it ultimately “doesn’t sound like it’ll be something that affects Zachariah Branch’s draft prospects greatly, if at all.”
Here are a couple other rumors concerning wide receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft:
- According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate is widely viewed as the draft class’s “safest pick.” Per Fowler, he’s projected solidly in the range of pick Nos. 4-7. His pedigree, polished route-running, and good but not great top speed are all attributes that secure him as the potential WR1, but he may not be considered the most talented at his position.
- Fowler went on to mention the recent rise of Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, after his recent workout this week. Tyson showed all of the explosive, twitchy athleticism in that workout that scouts know he is capable of, but his injury history persists as a potential concern for his future durability. Still, Fowler claims multiple teams have Tyson ranked as the best wide receiver of the draft class, but he only connected Tyson to teams picking around Nos. 7-10, meaning he might end up being WR2.
NFL Draft Rumors: Bain, Bailey, Chiefs, Ravens
Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. was subject to a blast of media a week ago, when news of a careless driving citation he received two years ago that resulted in the loss of life of a passenger broke with unfortunate timing. Several media members and NFL executives with existing knowledge of the situation provided leveled input, though some believed it could still affect his draft stock.
Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports recently dug into the what these executives reportedly knew and how they handled the information they were given. Upon the general reaction that most teams already knew of the situation, Epstein looked into why these franchises were okay with what they found and learned that some had talked to Bain and fellow prospects Wesley Bissainthe and Nyjalik Kelly about the incident. Bissainthe, a linebacker at Miami, and Kelly, a pass rusher out of UCF, were both teammates of Bain’s and passengers of the vehicle at the time of the incident. Teams who spoke with them were satisfied to find that their narratives aligned with Bain’s.
When Epstein asked teams whether they considered Bain a significant character risk, four of the five respondents said no, and the fifth said “it would exercise caution but did not view him to be as risky as” recent NFL players with citations for speeding or driving under the influence, something most teams believe Bain was cleared of doing. In fact, one team that did some digging reportedly believes that “Bain does not drink or smoke.”
In other news with Bain, concerning another red flag from his evaluation process, Epstein relays that, while Bain’s below-average arm length may be evident without exact numbers, “multiple evaluators believe this year’s combine arm-length measurements were not precise.” Epstein goes on to say that arm measurements performed by NFL scouts at pro days have delivered longer results for several players. Bain certainly has some of the shorter arms in this year’s class, but if the combine measurements are indeed short, it may not be as historically bad as initially framed.
Here are more recent rumors on some trench prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft:
- Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey has received plenty of interest over the course of the pre-draft process. He visited a good number of teams early on in the month and added a trip to Tennessee a week ago. He even had a visit canceled with the Jets, though there’s wide speculation of what that could mean. To close out his pre-draft process, Bailey visited the Commanders, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. Washington added a pair of former late-first-round pass rushers with varying success this offseason in Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson, but Bailey could raise the ceiling of the team’s pass rush.
- The Chiefs have a luxury unusual to the recently successful franchise in this upcoming draft as they sport two first-round picks. According to Dakota Watson of SBNation, general manager Brett Veach seemed to indicate that the team could be looking to address the defensive line early and often in next week’s draft. He also identified offensive tackle as a position of need in the draft, meaning Kansas City may need to address that position with one of their top picks, as well. We recently mocked Bain to the Chiefs, which would certainly address the defensive line, but Veach fears a potential run of tackles shortly after their ninth overall pick, so they may be forced to attack the offensive line first.
- Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta also recently identified offensive line as a focus for his team early in the upcoming draft. Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane and Utah right tackle Spencer Fano are names opposing evaluators have connected to Baltimore, according to Jason La Canfora of Sports Illustrated. We mocked Ioane to the Ravens in our recent mock draft, but Fano could easily end up being the pick, and Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor has been mentioned as a prospect of interest, as well.
5 Key Stories: 4/12/26 – 4/19/26
The lead-up to the draft often sees a number of high-profile developments (through player movement or contract extensions) around the league. 2026 has proven to be no different. In case you missed any of this week’s top stories, here’s a quick recap:
- Bengals Acquire, Extend Lawrence: Dexter Lawrence‘s desire for a change of scenery has resulted in a trade. The Pro Bowl defensive tackle has been dealt from the Giants to the Bengals in a swap sending the 10th overall pick to New York. Upon arrival in Cincinnati, Lawrence has agreed to a one-year, $28MM extension; he is therefore on the books through 2028. The Giants were unable to work out a new deal in this case for the second offseason in a row, leading to a breakdown between team and player. Observers have expressed surprise over the value New York managed to receive, and the team will now enter the draft with two top-10 selections. The Bengals, meanwhile, have continued to substantially reshape their defense in 2026. Lawrence will be counted on occupy a major role for the foreseeable future.
- Anderson Signs Market-Setting Texans Extension: Recent reporting suggested Will Anderson Jr. could reset the pass rush market with his Texans extension and reach the $50MM-per-year mark. He has managed to do just that by agreeing to a three-year, $150MM deal. Anderson expectedly had his fifth-year option picked up earlier this spring, meaning this monster extension will keep him under team control through 2030. The former Defensive Rookie of the Year secured $100MM fully guaranteed on his new contract, and his AAV is comfortably the most in the NFL among edge rushers. Anderson, 24, set a new career high with 12 sacks en route to first-team All-Pro honors in 2025. He will be expected to anchor Houston’s defense for years to come while holding the title of the league’s top earner for non-quarterbacks.
- Brissett Seeking New Cardinals Deal: The Cardinals finished 2025 with Jacoby Brissett atop the quarterback depth chart. That is set to remain the case for next season, with Kyler Murray having been traded and Gardner Minshew in place as a backup. Brissett is currently absent from voluntary offseason work while seeking a deal worth that of a QB1. The 33-year-old is owed $5.44MM for 2026 as things stand, nowhere near the market for mid-level starters. On the other hand, Arizona is seen as a prime landing spot for Ty Simpson, who could be viewed as a candidate to develop as a rookie before taking the reins in 2027. That setup would limit the team’s need to make a new investment in Brissett or its urgency to provide short-term incentives.
- Eagles Still Expected To Trade Brown: An A.J. Brown trade has long been a talking point this offseason, even with the Eagles repeatedly trying to downplay speculation in his case. A swap would be far more feasible after June 1 for cap purposes, and a widespread expectation still exists that Philadelphia will move forward with a trade beyond that date. Philadelphia has added Marquise Brown and Elijah Moore in free agency in addition to acquiring Dontayvion Wicks via trade. Those moves have been seen as precursors to a deal sending A.J. Brown elsewhere, something which would end his decorated (but not scandal-free) tenure as an Eagle. A notable WR investment early in the upcoming draft would certainly point further in the direction of Philadelphia eventually dealing Brown.
- Chargers Likely To Retain Johnston: Quentin Johnston has previously been the subject of trade rumors, but he remains on course to play for the Chargers next season. GM Joe Hortiz stated no calls with outside teams have taken place regarding the wideout’s availability, reducing the chances of any swap being worked out. Johnston has drawn criticism early in his career, though the former first-rounder has increased his yardage and efficiency in each of his three Los Angeles seasons while totaling 16 touchdowns over the past two years. Notably, Hortiz added no final decision has been made on Johnston’s fifth-year option covering 2027. Picking up the option would cost $18.1MM for that season, a sharp raise but something the Bolts may be willing to commit to if they keep him in the fold for now.
Texans Host Max Iheanachor, Blake Miller
Once again, the Texans have found themselves seeking improvements along the offensive line during an offseason. Houston has been busy on that front so far, but more additions could be coming via the draft.
Some of the top offensive tackle prospects in the 2026 class have been on the Texans’ radar leading up to the draft. Kadyn Proctor visited the team, although he may well be off the board by the time Houston selects at No. 28. Other T options have received a look more recently.
Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports Arizona State product Max Iheanachor is among the prospects who have visited the Texans. Iheanachor has drawn widespread interest during the pre-draft process, which comes as little surprise given his status as a potential first-rounder. The 35th-ranked player on the board for NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah was a latecomer to football, only beginning to play the game in junior college. After two seasons in that situation, Iheanachor had a three-year career with the Sun Devils, earning All-Big 12 honors in 2025.
The Texans have also hosted Clemson tackle Blake Miller, per Wilson. Miller racked up 54 starts with the Tigers, operating as a mainstay at the right tackle spot over that span. After earning first-team All-ACC honors in each of the past two years, he will be counted on to be a key contributor up front in the NFL. Solidifying either tackle spot would be imperative for a Houston team looking to break through in the playoffs while building around quarterback C.J. Stroud and Co.
The Texans have re-signed three offensive linemen this spring, including veteran Trent Brown. Houston also added Braden Smith in free agency, giving the team a pair of experienced right tackle options. Adding younger depth at that spot (not to mention someone capable of potentially handling work on the blindside) would still be a viable approach, though. It will be interesting to see if Iheanachor or Miller wind up being selected by the Texans if they are available when the team is first on the clock.
Jets Likely To Receive Trade Calls On WR Garrett Wilson; No Deal Expected
The Jets are viewed as a candidate to add a receiver relatively early in the draft. Any wideout brought about over the coming days will be tasked with complementing Garrett Wilson.
The former Offensive Rookie of the Year has been a focal point on offense when healthy, and he can be expected to remain a foundational roster piece for the foreseeable future. Wilson is attached to the $130MM extension he signed last summer, a deal which runs through 2030. Trade interest could be shown in the near future, however.
Yahoo! Sports’ Charles Robinson reports the Jets are likely to receive “check-in” calls pertaining to Wilson’s availability during and around the time of the draft. Any suitor which fails to draft a wideout early in the event could look to the three-time 1,000-yard producer as a means to upgrading on offense, and general manager Darren Mougey has certainly not been shy about swinging trades since his arrival. Nevertheless, a deal should not be expected in this case.
Robinson notes the Jets are not shopping Wilson, who was limited to seven games in 2025. That could limit his value in any trade to an extent, and Mougey moving on from someone he extended less than one year ago would certainly come as a surprise (even though there is obviously precedent on that front in the form of Sauce Gardner). Wilson is in position to once again find himself atop the receiver depth chart in 2026, which will be Adonai Mitchell‘s first full season in New York. Those two could be joined by a first-round rookie, depending on how things shake out with the Jets’ No. 16 pick.
Wilson was linked to trade speculation in 2024, but the departure of Davante Adams and the extension agreement cemented his status as a foundational figure during the Jets’ efforts to take needed steps forward on offense. At the trade deadline, it became clear Wilson was not available to interested teams. Mougey taking a similar stance this spring would be reasonable given the impact a healthy season from the 25-year-old would have.
Geno Smith will handle starting quarterback duties next season with New York likely to be among the teams which wait until 2027 to find a long-term passer via the draft. Regardless of how that effort plays out, Wilson figures to be a mainstay on offense moving forward despite any trade offers Mougey could receive in the near future.
Cardinals Considered Strong Candidate To Trade Down
APRIL 19: ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler confirms there is a belief around the league that Arizona is indeed open to moving down from No. 3. Adding capital for a potential move up the board to land Ty Simpson late in the first round could prove to be a particularly attractive approach for the Cardinals.
APRIL 16: The Cardinals hold the No. 3 pick in next week’s draft, the same slot as their original position in the 2023 draft. That year, they traded down to the 12th pick — before coming back to No. 6 overall for Paris Johnson Jr.
The Cardinals may make a similar move this year. They are considered a strong candidate to move down from the No. 3 pick, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. It could be an especially valuable selection in a draft class that is viewed as thin on elite talent that drops sharply by the middle of the first round and plateaus into the second round.
The Raiders are expected to take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza first with the Jets deciding between Ohio State’s Arvell Reese and Texas Tech’s David Bailey for No. 2. Whomever does not end up in New York could be a target for teams trading up to Arizona’s pick.
The Cardinals also have holes to fill all over their roster, so they may prefer trading back and targeting the strong Day 2 depth of this class. Their wide variety of needs is one of the reasons they are seen as a wild card in this year’s draft, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones.
“Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort is known to be willing to make a draft-day deal,” Jones writes. “You’ll hear plenty about teams being willing to trade down in this year’s draft, and I think the Cardinals are serious contenders to do just that. Looking around the league, folks believe the draft begins at No. 3 and no one seems to have a very good sense of what Arizona will do.”
Ossenfort could conceivable target any position except for cornerback and tight end with his premium picks, and the Cardinals still need some depth at the latter position. That will allow him to take a true ‘best player available’ approach as he attempts to rebuild the roster for new head coach Mike LaFleur.
Ravens WR Zay Flowers Wants To Stay In Baltimore
The Ravens will exercise wide receiver Zay Flowers’ fifth-year option at some point before the May 1 deadline, a decision that will lock the 2023 first-rounder into a fully-guaranteed $27.3MM salary for the 2027 season. That buys the parties more time to hammer out a long-term deal, and Baltimore already has expressed interest in an extension.
The interest is mutual. When speaking to reporters earlier this month (video link via ESPN’s Jamison Hensley), Flowers said he does not want to play anywhere other than Baltimore. He was asked specifically about the four-year, $168.6MM pact that draftmate Jaxon Smith-Njigba recently signed with the Seahawks, and he replied by offering congratulations to JSN while noting he is not focused on his own contract. As players often do, Flowers said he will allow his agents to handle extension conversations while he focuses on training and preparing for the season.
Smith-Njigba, who was selected two picks before Flowers in the 2023 draft, raised the bar even higher for a receiver market that continues to explode. Presumably, Flowers will not be able to match the Seattle standout’s $42.15MM average annual value, and Rams WR Puka Nacua – a 2023 fifth-rounder who is now entering a platform year since he does not have a fifth-year option – likely has more earning power as well. Still, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic (subscription required) recently predicted Flowers would not be too far behind his elite peers in terms of contract value.
The Ravens, who lost center Tyler Linderbaum to the Raiders this offseason, do not want to let the best homegrown wideout in franchise history sniff the open market. Flowers’ close relationship with quarterback Lamar Jackson, along with his work ethic and durability, also help his cause.
Then, of course, there is the on-field production to consider. The Boston College product has averaged 80 catches for 1,135 yards over the last two seasons, both of which ended with Pro Bowl nods. In 2025, Flowers ranked seventh in receiving yards, 11th in catches, and 14th in yards per target. His 2.53 yards per route run trailed only Nacua and Smith-Njigba among wide receivers. Those numbers become more impressive when considered in the context of the Ravens’ run-heavy operation.
It is unclear if contract talks have commenced as of the time of this writing. Even if he cannot reasonably expect to set a WR record when he ultimately secures his second NFL contract, the market for his position will still give the WIN Sports Group client a chance to break the bank.
OSU’s Kayden McDonald Expected To Be First DT Selected In 2026 Draft; Giants A Potential Fit?
The 2026 draft class is not viewed as a particularly strong one for defensive tackle talent, but there will of course be DT-needy teams looking for prospects they can mold into NFL-caliber starters. Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald is one such player, and ESPN’s Matt Miller reports McDonald is expected to be the first interior defender to hear his name called when the draft opens this week. Miller’s colleagues, Field Yates and Jordan Reid, are in agreement.
Although McDonald is one of 16 players who will be attending the first night of the draft, there is no guarantee he will be selected in the first round. Miller’s final prospect rankings did not include a DT in the top-40, and it is possible that, for the first time since 2021, there will be no Day 1 defensive tackles.
Still, McDonald is just 21 and possesses the size, strength, and talent to be an elite run stopper at the professional level. As Yates observes, the Dolphins used the No. 13 selection in last year’s draft on Kenneth Grant, a player with a similar profile to McDonald. While draftniks like NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah note McDonald needs to refine his skills as a pass rusher, Reid points out that the 6-2, 326-pound lineman has flashed the ability to not only withstand his gaps, but to make plays in the backfield as well.
Indeed, McDonald recorded three sacks and nine tackles for loss among his 65 total stops in his final season on campus, which resulted in first-team All-American acclaim and which Miller classifies as “remarkable on-ball production.” Given his floor as a high-end defender against the run and upside as a more disruptive playmaker, it would not be surprising to see McDonald sneak into the back end of the first round.
It is also worth wondering if he can fill the Dexter Lawrence-shaped void that now exists in the middle of the Giants’ defense. On Saturday, New York flipped Lawrence to the Bengals in exchange for the No. 10 pick in the upcoming draft, giving John Harbaugh & Co. more premium draft capital but stripping the club of a front seven stalwart.
While the Giants surely will not use their existing No. 5 selection or their new No. 10 choice on McDonald, their No. 37 pick could be the sweet spot, or it could be used as ammo in a small trade-up maneuver if necessary. Multiple sources have told ESPN’s Jordan Raanan that McDonald is an ideal fit for the Baltimore-style defense that Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson will install.
Giants, Bengals Agree To DT Dexter Lawrence Trade
Dexter Lawrence is indeed on the move. The Pro Bowl defensive tackle’s trade request will result in a swap sending him to the AFC North.
The Giants and Bengals have agreed to a Lawrence trade, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network report. This deal involves the No. 10 pick in next week’s draft heading to New York. An extension is also part of this blockbuster development, per the report. Cincinnati’s Day 1 selection is the only draft capital involved in the deal, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan adds.
[RELATED: Traded Draft Picks For 2026]
Lawrence was unable to work out an extension agreement last offseason, with a short-term incentive package being agreed to instead. The arrival of head coach John Harbaugh and a new reporting structure in the organization did not yield progress during the latest round of negotiations, prompting a trade request shortly before the draft. The immediate response indicated a swap was not expected, but it soon became clear the Giants were not interested in adding term or new money to the remainder of Lawrence’s contract. Talks broke off earlier this week, although team and player remained in communication leading up to tonight’s news.
In recent days it has become well known that Lawrence was open to a fresh start and that New York did not feel a sense of urgency to commit to a raise with the veteran coming off the least productive season of his career. The Giants understandably set a high asking price in this case, with a top-10 pick being sought out. They have managed to land one, and the team now holds selections No. 5 and 10 heading into the first round.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports efforts on the part of the Bengals to finalize this swap picked up over the past several days. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated adds the teams have been in contact for two weeks, with discussions centering on the price of a premium pick. The Giants initially tried to keep Lawrence even after receiving the Bengals’ offer, per SNY’s Connor Hughes; with the relationship beyond repair, the deal has now been agreed to. New York’s draft outlook is certainly much different now than it previously was.
The Giants will clear Lawrence’s remaining salaries for 2026 and ’27 from their books. With this swap taking place prior to June 1, the team will incur a dead money charge ($13.92MM) nearly identical to the cap savings ($13.04MM) which will be realized. Replacing Lawrence deep into free agency and/or by means of a draft class short on high-end defensive line prospects will now be a major priority.
From the Bengals’ perspective, this is an uncharacteristically aggressive move. Cincinnati has a reputation for avoiding high-profile transactions such as this, although the franchise’s approach has seen changes in recent years given the massive commitments made to the likes of Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Investing heavily in those three has helped lead to defensive shortcomings, and upgrading on that side of the ball has been a key focus this offseason. Illustrating the nature of this acquisition, Raanan’s colleague Adam Schefter notes this is the first time in the common draft era (1966-present) the Bengals have traded away a top-10 pick.
The Bengals have made a number of defensive free agent additions, including the signing of Jonathan Allen not long after his release. He and Lawrence will aim to improve a defense which struggled in a number of categories in 2025, including a last-place finish against the run. Cincinnati showed interest in trading for Osa Odighizuwa last month, but after being unable to swing a deal on that front the team has managed to secure a major addition along the defensive interior. Lawrence, 28, has three Pro Bowl nods and two appearances on the second All-Pro team to his name.
Returning to his previous form would be critical for the Clemson product and the Bengals’ ability to reach the postseason in 2026. Lawrence has been one of the league’s premiere interior pass rushers for much of his career, but last season saw him post just 0.5 sacks and 12 QB pressures. That drop-off in production was a key reason driving the Giants’ hesitancy with respect to a new deal moving Lawrence back toward the top of the defensive tackle market. Prior to this agreement, his $22.5MM-per-year pact sat outside the top 10 for the position.
Lowering Lawrence’s 2026 cap charge will be key for Cincinnati. The team entered Saturday 31st in the NFL in cap space with nowhere near enough room to absorb his figure and afford to sign its incoming draft class. The particulars will certainly be worth watching for as the Bengals prepare to build around Lawrence while authorizing a big-money deal in addition to a substantial acquisition cost.