The odds for players or a trade with the Cowboys’ pick at 12, 20

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 19: Rueben Bain #4 of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a sack during the second half of the College Football Playoff National Championship between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Miami Hurricanes against the Indiana Hoosiers at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by CFP/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The NFL draft has arrived. While the Dallas Cowboys currently sit at pick 12, the betting markets are starting to tell a very different story than the one we might expect. Whether it’s sticking at twelve or making a signature Jerry Jones splash, the oddsmakers have a clear vision of how the first round might unfold for Cowboys Nation. Here is the current betting landscape as we head into the weekend.

Note: The odds may be different when you read this as the process is dynamic. Check here for the latest.

The Favorites at Pick 12

If Dallas stays put, the money is flowing toward the defense. After a 2025 season where the defense looked more like a sieve than a screen door, defensive coordinator Christian Parker needs a foundational piece.

Rueben Bain Jr. (+600)

Bain has become the betting favorite for a reason. He’s a high-motor pass rusher who can slide inside on third downs. With the Cowboys’ defensive line needing a youth infusion, Bain is the “war daddy” Jerry Jones loves to talk about.  

Mansoor Delane (+700)

If the Cowboys want to fix the no-fly zone, Delane is the guy. The LSU product is an elite man-press corner who would pair perfectly with Daron Bland.

Dillon Thieneman (+950)

The Oregon safety is the ultimate “chess piece.” He can play deep center field or come down into the box. His stock has soared since the combine, and he’s now firmly in the mix at 12.

The Big Splash Odds:

The real intrigue, however, isn’t at pick 12. It’s at pick six. Rumors have been swirling that Dallas is in active conversations with the Cleveland Browns to jump into the Top 10. The goal? Jumping ahead of teams to snag a generational talent.

• Odds to Trade Into the Top 10: +180

• Odds to Specifically Acquire Pick #6: +350

To move from twelve to six, the Cowboys would likely have to surrender Pick 12 and Pick 20, so look at early second-round prospects as Dallas will get the Browns second-round pick in return and fill the roster from there. What the odds tell us for pick 12 is Dallas will likely move up into the top 10 to grab “their guy” if he’s there when the time comes. If we don’t see a move then get ready for for one of the three names above to be called by Roger Goodell. 

The Favorites at Pick 20

For a quick note on pick 20, here’s a snapshot of what the oddsmaker think that will go.