The 2026 NFL Draft will begin on Thursday night and, by all accounts, there are expected to be fireworks in Round 1.
Those fireworks could come from a slew of trades. ESPN’s Field Yates, Matt Miller and Jordan Reid have predicted anywhere from five to eight.
With that in mind, we’re taking a look at three trades that could happen in the first round to shake things up.
We based each NFL Draft trade package on pick values from the Jimmy Johnson Trade Value Chart to make sure deals were as even as possible.
The trade: Cowboys get pick Nos. 6, 39 (second round), Browns get pick Nos. 12, 20, 152 (fifth round).
The Browns and Cowboys have been mentioned in several rumors pertaining to teams looking to make trades in the first round.
Cleveland’s reasoning makes sense, as the Browns are rebuilding and could use more picks. Cleveland also figures to target a left tackle in Round 1 and can get one after a move back.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys are desperate for more talent on defense and a trade up guarantees they land a blue-chip player.
In this scenario, the Cowboys get their blue-chip player in Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles and get back the second-round pick the team doesn’t have.
The Browns get yet another first-round pick to strap a rocket booster to their rebuild and land their left tackle of the future in Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor.
The trade: Cardinals get pick No. 32, Seahawks get pick Nos. 34 (second round), 143 (fifth round).
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets “seem to be most interested in” in Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
It’s not surprising if that’s the case, as Simpson is the second-best quarterback in this class and New York and Arizona both have a need.
The sweet spot for either one of those teams is probably the top of the second round, but the problem for Arizona (No. 34) is New York (No. 33) is one spot ahead.
That means the Cardinals would have to trade up, and in this scenario they do so to grab Simpson one spot before the Jets pick.
The Seattle Seahawks would likely be amenable to this trade, as general manager John Schneider said “it’s no secret” he wants more picks with the team only having four.
Schneider accomplishes that goal here, and he could even turn around and trade again at No. 34 if another team is looking to move up.
Jets get pick Nos. 9, 109 (fourth round), Chiefs get pick Nos. 16, 44 (second round).
The Jets desperately need more help at wide receiver with Adonai Mitchell set to flank Garrett Wilson. Jordyn Tyson, despite injury concerns, is the best one in the draft.
The New York Giants have been heavily linked to Tyson in recent days and he is reportedly an option for them at No. 10.