TRADE UP: The Cleveland Browns Could Be The PERFECT Trade Partner For The Dallas Cowboys!

Summary

Locked On Cowboys – Episode Summary
Episode: “TRADE UP: The Cleveland Browns Could Be The PERFECT Trade Partner For The Dallas Cowboys!”
Air Date: March 17, 2026
Hosts: Marcus Mosher & Landon McCool

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Main Theme

This episode centers around the Dallas Cowboys’ potential strategy to trade up in the 2026 NFL draft, with the Cleveland Browns identified as the ideal trading partner. Using a mock draft scenario, Marcus and Landon analyze possible trade mechanics, value assessments, targeted players, and the broader implications for roster-building in Dallas.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Trade Up? (01:12 – 02:21)

• Draft Dissatisfaction at 12: Marcus expresses growing concern with the player options at pick 12, suggesting moving up might be “in their best interest” if the board isn’t favorable.
  • “The more and more I do mocks Landon, the more and more I don’t like the options at 12.” – Marcus (01:44)
• Trading Up Mechanics: The Cowboys are exploring trading picks 12 and 20 to the Browns for picks 6 and 39.

2. Why Cleveland is a Perfect Partner (02:21 – 03:48)

• Cleveland’s Motivation to Trade Back:
  • Citing the Browns’ analytics-driven front office and GM Andrew Berry’s habit of trading down.
  • Browns are looking to “get more bites of the apple,” especially since their main needs (OT, WR) may not have perfect fits early.
  • “For a team like Cleveland... especially analytic driven front office, the Cowboys should take advantage of those situations.” – Marcus (02:57)

3. Proposed Trade Structure and Rationale (03:48 – 06:40)

• Mock Trade Details:
  • Cowboys trade picks 12, 20, and 112 (4th round) for Browns’ picks 6, 39, and 146 (5th round).
• Maintaining Number of Picks: The Cowboys would not lose picks, merely shift them around the board for better value.
  • “You can’t reduce the number of picks, just kind of move them around…” – Marcus (06:30)
• Players to Target at 6: The guys identify four key prospects worth trading up for:
  • Arvel Reese, Sonny Styles, David Bailey, Reuben Bain, with Caleb Downs as a wild-card. “One of those top three would likely be the target here.” – Landon (04:06)

4. Mock Draft Walkthrough (09:14 – 13:51)

Cowboys Pick at 6: Reuben Bain (Edge Rusher)

• Rationale:
  • Considered an elite pass rushing talent, despite concerns about length and weight.
  • “You pick Reuben Bain, you prosper on the edge. Now you’ve got an edge room that is something to be feared.” – Marcus (09:14)
• Browns at 12: Trade down to select offensive lineman Vega Iwana, a much better value at 12 than picking at 6.

Cowboys Pick at 39: Jacob Rodriguez (Linebacker)

• Reviewing Options:

  • Evaluated top CBs (D’Angelo Pons, Chris Johnson, Keonte Scott) and LBs.
  • “D’Angelo Pons feels a little bit rich (at 20), but at 39, it’s much more palatable.” – Landon (11:54)

• Final Selection: Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech linebacker. Both hosts are high on his versatility and starting upside.

  • “I would be comfortable… taking him at 39. Man, I might be running to the star here.” – Landon (12:21)

• Depth at Edge & LB: Marcus underlines how trading up opens flexibility: “There’s still plenty of options at linebacker or at edge, whichever direction you want to go…”

• Outcome: Cowboys land two projected starters, retain pick 92 (3rd round), and keep a strong day-three presence.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Value of Trading Up:
  “You don’t make these trades beforehand. You see how it kind of plays out on draft day. But if it plays out like this, I wouldn’t be shocked at all if the Browns were on the phone with the Cowboys.”
  – Marcus (05:31)

• On Position Value:
  “It’s a premium position. It’s a guy that comes in right away, can give you some juice off the edge.”
  – Landon (09:43)

• On Mock Draft Psychology:
  “A first round pick compared to an early second round pick is viewed totally differently, but there's not a huge gap in talent.”
  – Landon (11:54)

• Mock Draft Banter:
  (On Marcus mixing up player names:)
  “First of all, I love that you love Caleb Banks, but second of all, I think you meant Caleb Downs, which is fine.”
  – Landon (13:19)
  “But cannot stop it.”
  – Marcus (13:25)

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Important Timestamps

• 01:12 – Episode Topic, Rationale for Trading Up
• 02:21 – Why Cleveland is the right partner
• 03:48 – Outline of the proposed trade with pick details
• 06:40 – (Ad Break: skip)
• 09:14 – Cowboys select Reuben Bain at pick 6
• 10:30 – Setting up options at pick 39; analysis of CB and LB prospects
• 12:21 – Jacob Rodriguez pick discussion
• 13:51 – Final reflections on the mock draft outcome

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Conclusion

Marcus and Landon present a sharp, analytic-driven look at how the Cowboys can maximize draft capital and roster impact by trading with Cleveland. They detail how player value, positions of need, and front office tendencies align for an ideal draft day partnership. Their mock scenario results in two high-upside starters without giving up critical depth—encouraging both fans and team leadership to keep an eye on this possibility in the buildup to the 2026 NFL draft.

Transcript

[Marcus Moser]

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[Landon McCool]

The NFL draft is just over a month away, but we're starting to feel itchy when it comes to making trades. But tell you one that the Cowboys should make next. You are Locked on Cowboys, your daily Dallas Cowboys podcast, part of the Locked on podcast network your team every day. Welcome back to the Locked on Cowboys podcast, part of the Lockedon podcast network. Your team every day. We like to thank you for making us your first listen and we'd like to thank you for making us the number one sports podcast network. I am your host, Marcus Moser. He is Landon McCool. And Landon, we're going to be talking some trades. This is like one of my favorite little exercises that we do is we go through potential trades that the Cowboys could make when they're either on the clock or before the draft. And on today's show, we're going to be looking at a trade the Cowboys should make with Cleveland because the more and more I do mox landing, the more and more I don't like the options at 12 and it might be in their best case, their best interest to move up in this draft.

[Marcus Moser]

Yeah, you know, we, we got some feedback too from folks that were questioning that we, we did one with Arizona. I think it was just yesterday and people like why would, why would Arizona trade back and for teams like Arizona, for Cleveland, like if you don't love your choices at six and at. You know what, I can't remember What, What Arizona was at but three. But three? Yeah. Like, then it's like, why would you want to sit there and pick and pay a whole bunch of money for a top 10 pick that you don't love the choices at? We are constantly talking about wanting to get more bites of the apple, especially a team like Cleveland might potentially be heavily favored to do something like that because of an analytic driven front front office. The Cowboys should take advantage of those situations.

[Landon McCool]

All right, so let's look at the trade with Cleveland and if you're watching with us on YouTube, you can see that we're using the Pro Football Focus simulator. A couple things to know. Cleveland has two big needs outside of quarterback, but they're not going to address quarterback this year. It's offensive tackle and specifically left tackle and wide receiver. But they might be in a spot Landon, where it's a little too rich to take like a Monroe Freeling. Or maybe they feel like it's a little too rich to take Makai Lemon or Carnell Tate. They also have a GM and Andrew Berry who is like notorious for always trading back with his first pick. And that's why we've identified Cleveland, because they have picks 6, 24 and 39, and we might be interested in trading picks 12 and 20 to move up to 6.

[Marcus Moser]

Yeah, this is a team that clearly is identifying 2027 as the year that they want to go for the quarterback. Right. So they, they want to improve this roster as much as possible in. In anticipation for that. That means more bites of the apple. That means more first round picks for them. I think it just makes sense for them to, if they wanted to do

[Landon McCool]

this and in this exercise, you kind of need to have like four players you're moving up for. And I think for us, the way that at least we stacked our board would be Arvel Reese, Sonny Styles, David Bailey, Reuben Bain, and you can throw Caleb Downs in there. One of those five, but really probably one of those top three would likely be the target here.

[Marcus Moser]

Yeah, absolutely. And I think it just gives you a lot clearer picture, especially for what you're looking for specifically to go to go pick at six. And then the third round, the high second round pick is obviously great because like we've talked about, by the end of the first round, there's a plateau to maybe the top of the third round. So picking in that same plateau, I think is still a big win for the Cowboys.

[Landon McCool]

All right, so in this mock draft that we did, Fernando Mendoza, 1. Arvell Reese, 2. To the Jets, Sonny Styles three to the Cardinals, David Bailey, four to the Titans, and then Jeremiah Love goes five to the Giants, and that leaves Reuben Bain and Caleb Downs still on the clock. And for Cleveland, they're probably looking at the situation like, okay, we still have all the receivers are on the board, all of the offensive linemen are on the board. We're okay dropping back to 12 because we feel very good that we're going to get one of those four. Let's say it's Monroe Freeling, Francis Moaga, Carnell Tate, makai lemon at 12. I think this is where a trade makes a ton of sense for both parties.

[Marcus Moser]

Yeah, absolutely. I mean, again, I think a lot of these scenarios that the way you plays out, it would make sense for them. So this is one of those things where, you know, you don't make these trades beforehand. You see how it kind of plays out on draft day a little bit. But if it plays out like this, I wouldn't be shocked at all if the the Browns were on the phone with the Cowboys.

[Landon McCool]

So on the Pro Football Focus mock draft Simulator 6 and pick 39, which is at the top of the second round, would be enough for picks 12 and 20. Now, PFF's simulator has always been a little bit more willing to trade down than most, but I do think the Cowboys would probably have to give up maybe just a little bit more. And the thing that we proposed was the Cowboys giving up pick 112, which is their fourth round pick for pick 146. PFF actually has it wrong here for pick 146, which be at the top of the fifth round. So you're keeping the same number of picks of the other Cowboys. You're just shifting them a little bit.

[Marcus Moser]

Yeah, that was a big thing for me too, is that I just wanted to keep the same number. You can't, can't reduce the number of picks, but just kind of moving them around. I think that makes a lot of sense just to get the value that you need to make this trade go through.

[Landon McCool]

All right, so we're going to offer that trade when we come back. We're going to make some picks for the Cowboys at 6 and 39. What would the draft look like for Dallas then? We'll get to that next. This episode is brought to you by. Indeed, workplace chaos. Deadline stacking up, inbox overflowing and the one position that you have to fill is still sitting open. When the pressure's on and you need the right hire. This is a job for Indeed sponsored jobs. Indeed sponsored jobs help you reach the people who actually fit what you're looking for with skills, experience, location. So you're not just hoping that the right candidate stumbles across your post. So if you're hiring, spend less time searching and more time interviewing candidates who check all of your boxes with Indeed sponsored jobs. And listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit to help get your job the premium status that it deserves@ Indeed.com podcast. That is Indeed.com podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Need to hire. This is a job for Indeed sponsored jobs. This episode is brought to you by Robinhood. What if sports were traded like markets? Now you can put your sports IQ to work in real time with Robinhood Prediction Markets. It's not you against the house. It's you participating in a live market. You can buy or sell your positions live or all game long. Use your sports knowledge in the moments that matter. Robin Hood Prediction Markets changes the game. It's people moving the action so when the momentum shifts, you can move with it. I've always known the game, but never had a dynamic way to apply that knowledge. Now I can actually take part live. In a market powered by people, you are no longer just a spectator. Play by play, you decide. Trade every play with Robin Hood. Now available across the U.S. download the Robin Hood Robin Hood app. Now to begin futures and cleared swaps. Trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Event contracts are offered by Robin Hood Derivatives llc, a registered futures commission merchant and swap firm. Welcome back to the Lot Done Cowboys podcast. We are doing a mock draft where the Cowboys have just traded up, cleared up, excuse me. To pick number six. And now that the Cowboys are on the clock, Landon, who are you taking with this pick? You've got Reuben Bane, you've got Caleb Downs. Who do you want?

[Marcus Moser]

I think we gotta take. We gotta take Reuben Bane. I. I think he's a guy that, you know, we, we targeted as being, you know, super, super high up on our board. Obviously elite talent as a pass rusher. He's gonna be knocked because of arms, arm length, weight, not gonna look, listen to that nonsense. You pick Reuben Bane, you prosper on the edge now. Now you've got an edge room that, that is something to be feared a little bit. And it, and it really kind of changes the angles for this defense a little bit.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah. So in this mock draft, I agree with you, by the way. Reuben Bane would be my pick as well. It's a premium position. It's a guy that comes in right away, can give you some juice. Off the edge. And this mock Cleveland actually traded down to 12 to take Vega Iwana, the offensive lineman from Penn State. He's a guard. Again, you're not going to really take a guard at six, but at 12 like the Cowboys did last year, much more palatable than they. With the pick 20, they took Keltrick Falk. Thank goodness they Cowboys for themselves. So there you go. That's. That's how that works out for Cleveland, right? You get an offensive lineman that you love. Maybe not the value at 6, but at 12, you move up in round one. Makes a ton of sense. All right, Lynn, here for the Cowboys at pick 39, you've got your edge rusher. I would assume that you're going to be looking at linebacker in corner here, correct?

[Marcus Moser]

That sounds good to me.

[Landon McCool]

All right, so let's look at the top cornerbacks available. You've got d' Angelo Pons from Indiana. The Cowboys now love their short cornerbacks. Chris Johnson from San Diego State, Keonte Scott Davidson, Igbonaga son, who we're still waiting for that kind of combine rise to happen. Those are your top guys there. Anybody stand out to you?

[Marcus Moser]

I mean, listen, Keonte Scott's my guy for sure. D' Angelo Pons kind of similar player. Obviously they both kind of slot players, but they're the different ends of the spectrum. Ponds a little bit smaller, but look at those grades. If you're watching on YouTube, Marcus, give them the grades real quick.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah. 89.9 grade in 2025. 83.5 in 2024. 89.7 in 2023. Four total touchdowns allowed in his career, only one since 2024, but also has seven interceptions during that time.

[Marcus Moser]

Yeah, well, this is one of the guys that got dragged up from James Madison when, when things kind of started moving over to Indiana. So he was one of the key players. I also love Keonte Scott, who's also played in the national championship. I don't think that's coincidence, but he's on the other side of it. He's more of a 6 foot closer to over 190. I would say more of a physical player. I actually think Scott might be a better fit for what you're doing with Christian Parker situation. But let's look at linebackers before we make a decision here for sure.

[Landon McCool]

But this, before I even get to linebackers. Like, this is a perfect example of like, hey, at 20, D' Angelo Pons feels a little bit rich, but at 39 it's much more palatable. Right. Like, and it's not to say there's a huge gap in talent. Right. But I think you guys know how it is. A first round pick compared to a early second round pick is viewed totally differently. But there's a guy available here that I absolutely love.

[Marcus Moser]

Oh, I just saw.

[Landon McCool]

And that's Jacob Rodriguez.

[Marcus Moser]

Yeah.

[Landon McCool]

From Texas Tech. I would be comfortable. I'm not saying I would feel great, but I would feel comfortable taking him at 2039. Man, I might be running to the star here from Pennsylvania.

[Marcus Moser]

Yeah. Honestly. And I think we could take that pick. I just. Before we do that, real quick, I do want to point out, if you go to Edge, can you just. Or go to the larger group, if you will.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I can go to Edge. We'll go to Edge. First.

[Marcus Moser]

Zion Young is. And R. Mason Thomas are both in. Malachi Lawrence as well. Gabe Yakis all. I mean, honestly, Derek Moore is down there too. I would take almost any of these guys at 39 too. Romello height, like.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, but we just took Ruben Bane, though. You can't take two.

[Marcus Moser]

But my point is, if did this trade and you went Kayla Banks instead.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, you.

[Marcus Moser]

You would. There. There's still plenty of options at linebacker or at edge. Who. Wherever. Whichever direction you want to go at any of these spots.

[Landon McCool]

First of all, I love that you love Caleb Banks, but second of all, I think you meant Caleb Downs, which is fine.

[Marcus Moser]

But cannot stop it.

[Landon McCool]

But that's okay.

[Marcus Moser]

That's.

[Landon McCool]

That's fine. But. Or let's say it's Sunny Styles, like in this mock we took. What if it's sunny Styles there? Yes. You come down here, you grab Malachi Lawrence and you feel great about it. Or.

[Marcus Moser]

Or any of the nickels. Like we said, like, there's tons of options at linebacker, nickel and edge if you do this trade to the top of the. Of the second round. So, yeah, like I said, you kind of can't miss if you get a good player at the top.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah. So in this mock, we're taking Reuben Bain, we're taking Jacob Rodriguez, and I feel great that The Cowboys got two starters right away without having to give up. Pick 92. You still have that in your back pocket. You still have a bunch of picks on day three. I think this is a very realistic trade that I think, honestly, both parties should explore. And I wonder if we'll eventually hear something like this could happen maybe as we get closer to the draft. That is it for today's show. We'd like to thank you for making Locked on Cowboys your first listen every single day if you never miss an episode. The everyday or club is built for you. Get Locked on Cowboys ad free plus members only, Discord Access and so much more. Head over to LockedOn Cowboys Supercast.com to join the club. And for those of you on video, we can send you the first ever 24.7national NBA YouTube channel and on audio, make your second listen the locked on NFL Draft Podcast Podcast. Excuse me. Follow Landon on Twitter @McCool BCB. I'm @Marcus Moer and we'll see you right back here tomorrow.

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