Cowboys, Rams, Eagles Make Major Trades Up in New NFL Mock Draft from Conor Orr

Thursday night will be a chaotic affair if the newest 2026 NFL mock draft from Sports Illustrated's Connor Orr serves as an accurate preview for the first round.

The No. 10 overall pick has already changed hands after the Cincinnati Bengals acquired defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants. Orr forecasted four more trades within the first 11 selections.

Here are the teams that moved up and who they targeted:

• 3. Dallas Cowboys (via Cardinals): Arvell Reese, Edge/LB, Ohio State
• 4. Los Angeles Rams (via Titans): Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
• 6. Kansas City Chiefs (via Browns): Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
• 11. Philadelphia Eagles (via Dolphins): Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday the Cleveland Browns "are already taking calls about the No. 6 pick." The Dallas Cowboys, meanwhile, are a team some expect could trade up.

Both of those things came to fruition in Orr's mock.

Still, Schefter wrote that "more teams want to trade down than up this year."

Orr explained the logic behind having so much movement early in Round 1:

"But in short, six teams have a majority of the capital in this draft. And I think a lot of teams feel the way the Bengals do about the actual layout of talent: It's not great. That's why this mock reflects some trade action inside the top five to scoop up the 'premium' options on the board. I wonder if a trade up from later in the top 10, or just outside the top 10, could be accomplished at a more affordable price, by the way."

In the case of the Los Angeles Rams, they still have the Atlanta Falcons' first-rounder after giving up their own to get cornerback Trent McDuffie. General manager Les Snead can put together a worthwhile package in order to climb into the top five.

Imagine what coach Sean McVay could do with a running back as good as Jeremiyah Love.

Jeremiyah Love highlights

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Quarterback Matthew Stafford, 38, isn't getting any younger. Love and wide receiver Puka Nacua could serve as long-term cornerstones in an offense that will need a new QB before too long.

In addition, L.A. could turn around and shop Kyren Williams in trades this offseason or next to help recoup some of what it gave up in order to get Love.

The idea of Ohio State safety Caleb Downs has to be similarly scary for the Philadelphia Eagles' NFC rivals.

Downs is the No. 1 overall player on Bleacher Report's 2026 big board, with B/R NFL scout Daniel Harms comparing him to three-time All-Pro Eric Berry.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is in a somewhat unique position.

The signs are pointing toward an A.J. Brown trade this summer, and that could net Philly a 2027 first-round pick. With that knowledge, Roseman may feel a little more comfortable leveraging future draft capital for a trade up Thursday.