New NFL Rumors on Expectation of 'Trade-Heavy' 2026 Draft and Top Positions Eyed

The 2026 NFL draft is reportedly expected to feature plenty of activity.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, there's an expectation among many NFL teams that the upcoming draft will be "one of the more trade-heavy drafts in recent memory" with a "flurry of activity" likely to occur in the top half of the first round.

Per Schultz, teams could be targeting positions including cornerback, linebacker, EDGE and wide receiver.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones previously confirmed that he'd be willing to trade up or down in the first round of the 2026 draft. Dallas owns the No. 12 overall pick as well as the No. 20 selection.

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen also revealed that his team would be listening to offers for teams looking to trade up in the draft. The Giants hold the No. 5 overall choice.

Similar to Schoen, Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry told reporters that he would explore opportunities to potentially trade down from the No. 6 spot in the draft.

Teams looking to trade up for help at linebacker could be targeting Ohio State's Sonny Styles, who wrapped up a strong 2025 campaign and put together an impressive performance at the NFL scouting combine.

Styles was projected to be selected with the No. 7 overall pick in the latest mock draft from Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department.

As for front offices attempting to land a cornerback, LSU's Mansoor Delane might be a target. Delane was picked at No. 10 overall in B/R's latest mock and is coming off a 2025 season in which he racked up 11 passes defended.

The 2026 NFL draft will begin on April 23.