Cowboys-Chiefs Draft Trade Idea Offers Different First-Round Scenario for Dallas

An NFL analyst has proposed a trade between the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs that would have the Cowboys moving back in the first round.

Dallas Cowboys fans at the NFL Draft. | Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images

When it comes to first-round scenarios for the Dallas Cowboys in the 2026 NFL Draft, the possibilities are endless.

The Cowboys enter the event later this month armed with a pair of first-round draft picks and the case can be made Dallas could stick and pick, or trade out of one or both spots, either with a move up or down.

In an article proposing a handful of draft trades in the first round, Eric Edholm of NFL.com suggests a deal between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cowboys that has Dallas moving back to pick No. 29, which was sent to the Chiefs in the Trent McDuffie trade with the Los Angeles Rams.

Here's the proposal Edholm offers up, along with his thoughts on it:

Cowboys-Chiefs draft trade proposal

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

• Chiefs get: 2026 first-round pick (No. 20), 2026 fifth-round pick (No. 152), 2026 seventh-round pick (No. 218)

• Cowboys get: 2026 first-round pick (No. 29), 2026 third-round pick (No. 74), 2026 fifth-round pick (No. 148), 2026 fifth-round pick (No. 176)

"The Cowboys have eight selections, including those two first-rounders, but none between Nos. 20 and 92 overall, which is the supposed heart of this draft class, especially attheir positions of need," Edholm writes.

"Dallas has taken on more of an apparent trade-down mentality in recent years, and because the Cowboys' biggest aim should arguably be scooping up as much defensive talent as possible, moving back would have real merit," Edholm added. "After all the picks are swapped, Dallas would have five in the top 112 overall. Use four or more of those on defense and kickstart the rebuild."

Would the Cowboys make this trade?

Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer. | Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

It's certainly possible, but we'd much rather see the Cowboys stick and pick with these two first-rounders, barring a ridiculous package.

This one Edholm suggests just isn't good enough for us.

On the positive side of this proposed trade, the Cowboys would strengthen their Day 2 stable of picks while still holding on to their two first-rounders.

But moving down nine spots is a huge step back and Dallas has a better chance of landing the immediate-impact player this team desperately needs at No. 20 than at No. 29.

In order for the Cowboys to pull the trigger on this kind of trade, they would have to be completely down on whoever is left on the board and we just don't see that happening given the multiple needs this team has on defense.

The Cowboys' most important needs are at cornerback, edge rusher and linebacker and we believe this draft is deep enough that the Cowboys can adequately address two of those three positions with their first two picks.