Ideally, the Dallas Cowboys would love to find an elite edge rusher on the free agent or trade market.
However, the NFL Draft could present the Cowboys with a unique opportunity to add a talented young stud with an exceptionally high upside. The Ringer’s Todd McShay believes that the Cowboys could partner with the Arizona Cardinals to complete a big-time draft trade for a 14.5-sack edge rusher.
“Trading out of No. 3 remains one of the priorities, or one of the things that could absolutely happen with Arizona,” McShay said on ‘The McShay Show’ on Friday. “There’s a lot of buzz about Dallas, and what comes to the noise, with Dallas trading up from 12 to three to get (David) Bailey, right?”
After three respectable seasons at Stanford, Bailey transferred to Texas Tech for the final year of his collegiate career. Thanks to his explosiveness and elite get-off at the line of scrimmage, he enjoyed a breakout 2025-26 campaign with the Red Raiders.
Bailey recorded 52 total tackles, three penalties drawn, and 14.5 sacks on a Texas Tech team that reached the College Football Playoff (they lost to Oregon in the Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl).
While Bailey may not be an instant superstar in the NFL, there’s no denying that his unlimited potential, combined with the Cowboys’ need for Edge assistance, would make it logical to witness the Irvine, California native find his footing in Dallas eventually.
Will McShay’s trade idea materialize on Draft night, though? The answer to that question will become clearer in due time.
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