I hated the New York Giants trade the second I saw it. Not because the Cowboys were, or because Dexter Lawrence left New York. I hate it because the Giants now have pick 5 and pick 10 in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Once the trade happened, it felt like Dallas’ dream path to Caleb Downs or Sonny Styles turned into a nightmare.
The Cowboys will now need the board to break perfectly to get one of those two impact defenders.
This is a bad place to be when the two defenders you want most are already top-10 caliber players.
The Giants Now Control the Cowboys’ Problem
This is the part that makes this so annoying. Before the move, I was able to talk myself into Caleb Downs or Sonny Styles.
I thought maybe a run on offensive players would have pushed down one of those defenders, but the Giants have a defensive-minded coach and major needs on that side of the ball.
That changes everything.
I don’t think this is no longer about hoping the draft board falls a certain way, because now one team now owns two premium picks right in front of you. That’s how a dream target disappears.
Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles Aren’t Just Hype
We all know these aren’t just two draft prospects Cowboys’ fans just talked themselves into. These are legit blue-chip defenders.
Daniel Jeremiah has Caleb Downs at No. 9 on his board and Sonny Styles ahead of him at No.3, which should tell you these two guys carry legit top-10 value.
And both fit what Dallas could use.
Caleb Downs is the type of safety who changes the backend of defense with his range, IQ, and a presence that cleans up mistakes.
Sonny Styles is a linebacker/EDGE rusher who brings size and speed to the defense at the second level.
These are just a few reasons why these players were on Cowboys’ fans’ radar.
We didn’t just possibly lose two good prospects. Fans may have watched two impact defenders go to a rival.
The Giants Were Already a Threat Before the Trade
The Giants have been tied to Jeremiyah Love, Sonny Styles, and Caleb Downs near the top of the draft. The same report said Downs’ range could be from No.5 to No.12, which tells you Dallas was always going to be sweating this one.
Then New York added another top-10 pick.
So even if New York passes on one of these prospects at 5, they will have another shot at 10 to wreck Dallas’ plan.
The Cowboys Will Have to Get Aggressive
Could one of these players still fall to 12? I think there is always a chance.
I’m just not going to hold my breath.
Before the trade, I could see a cleaner path. Now that path is blocked by one team and that team is a big-time rival. Could the Giants send out signals of taking both? Yes, and that could force Dallas to use their two first round picks to move ahead of them.
To get ahead of the Giants for one of these players, the Cowboys may need to make the trade every one has been hearing about. They may need to get back on the phone with Cleveland or any team ahead of New York.
Not a great thing for Dallas, but this could be the perfect scenario for the Giants to stick it to the Cowboys.
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