New Mel Kiper, ESPN NFL Mock Draft Drops for Rounds 1-2, Top Trades, Surprises, Risers, Fallers

Key Points:

• ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. projects the Dallas Cowboys to trade up with the Cleveland Browns to acquire the No. 6 pick in the 2026 NFL draft and select Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, giving up their two first-round picks at No. 12 and 20.
• The trade would mark the Cowboys giving up three first-round picks in five months for Styles and Quinnen Williams, aiming to bolster a defense that ranked last in points and passing yards allowed last season.
• Kiper's mock draft includes another trade with the Arizona Cardinals moving up to No. 30 to select Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, sending picks No. 34 and 65 to the Miami Dolphins in exchange.
• The Browns, acquiring the Cowboys' first-round picks, are projected to select Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor at No. 12, Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston at No. 20, and Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy at No. 24, focusing on building a strong defensive nucleus.
• Styles is highly regarded, ranked as the sixth-best prospect in the 2026 class and the highest-graded linebacker prospect since 1987 by relative athletic score, potentially transforming the Cowboys' front seven alongside Williams, Rashan Gary, DeMarvion Overshown, and Kenny Clark.