Micah Parsons who? Could the Dallas Cowboys be a landing spot for the next big pass rushing star in the 2026 NFL Draft?
With a defense that is last in the league in total defense, that blockbuster trade that sent Parsons to the Green Bay Packers is paying no dividends for the Cowboys on the defensive side of the ball. But, with two first round picks in the draft, could help be on the way for America’s team?
Currently, with the No. 12 and No. 29 overall picks in the draft, the Cowboys will have a shot to land two top defenders in the draft. Could the top pick land them a player who could fill the shoes of Parsons? That will be a tall task, but there are some prospects who could add some explosiveness off the edge for the Cowboys, one of which is playing his college football right in the state of Texas.
Cowboys land their next star edge rusher with the No. 12 overall
In ESPN’s latest NFL Mock Draft, the Cowboys land one of the hottest defensive players in college football in Texas Tech star David Bailey. An absolute force off the edge, Bailey has been one of the main reasons the Red Raiders are undefeated so far this season. Already racking up 8.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles, ESPN’s Jordan Reid sees Bailey as the “outside presence” the Cowboys need.
Reid writes:
“Bailey has been a force off the edge this season, and he leads the FBS with a 24.6% pressure rate to go along with 8.5 sacks, which are tied for first. He is a constant disruptor who can win with speed or power. And with Micah Parsons now in Green Bay, the Cowboys need a potent pass-rushing presence outside, which Bailey could provide. Dallas' 11 sacks are tied for 22nd in the NFL, and that defense is giving up 6.2 yards per play, which ranks 30th.”
This would be a great fit for a Cowboys team that is getting by on offense this season. In Bailey, they would get a player who can help put a burst in that defense with his combination of size and power. Along with 2025 NFL Draft second round pick Donovan Ezeiruaku, the Cowboys could feature a young duo of pass rushers who could carry the franchise for years to come.
Again, with two first round picks, the Cowboys can be flexible the draft, but is Bailey their best option to find a player who could make the sort of impact Parsons made?
NFL Mocks links Ohio State linebacker to the Cowboys
Bailey at this point is an ideal prospect for the Cowboys, but there is a player at the linebacker position at Ohio State who is also rising the draft boards. In the NFL Mocks’ Week 6 NFL Mock Draft, the Cowboys land Arvell Reese with the No. 14 overall pick which was based on current team records. Like Bailey, Reese is a force off the edge who also has the versatility to drop back in coverage and be an impact player in defense in multiple ways.
If it comes down to David Bailey vs Arvell Reese for the Cowboys, Reese’s versatility would make him more effective in the Cowboys’ defense overall. Is there a chance the Cowboys could get both players in the first round? There is a possibility one of these players slide to late first round given the needs of other teams. But, with the Cowboys having other needs, they could wait to double dip at edge rusher and address other needs with their other first round pick.
In all, Bailey in a Cowboys’ uniform would spark excitement and could make that Parsons trade sting a little less.