Why Cowboys traded up just 1 spot with Dolphins to pick 11th in NFL Draft instead of 12th
This doesn't quite add up.
Why Cowboys traded up just 1 spot with Dolphins to pick 11th in NFL Draft instead of 12th originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Dallas Cowboys made a trade that seemed at least a bit head-scratching.
They were slated to pick No. 12 in the 2026 NFL Draft. Instead, they traded up exactly one spot to pick at No.
11. They picked Caleb Downs, the safety out of Ohio State. The Miami Dolphins traded that pick to Dallas to swap spots while getting a bit in return.
The Cowboys sent the 12th pick along with 177 and 180 to the Dolphins. It's an odd trade, yes, but one the Cowboys felt they had to make. 2026 NFL DRAFT HQ: Live tracker | Pick-by-pick grades | Best players still available Why did Cowboys trade up 1 spot?