The Dallas Cowboys are doing their homework on David Bailey, but whether they can actually land him is another question entirely.
Texas Tech’s electrifying edge rusher visited Dallas this week, per Ian Rapoport, adding fuel to speculation that the Cowboys are exploring an aggressive draft-day move. Bailey also met with the Kansas City Chiefs, who have the ninth overall pick, and visited the Arizona Cardinals, who have the third overall pick, following the combine, putting him squarely in the top-10 conversation.
Trading Up for David Bailey Will Be Costly for the Cowboys
The Cowboys hold picks at No. 12 and No. 20, the latter acquired in the Micah Parsons trade with Green Bay. Landing Bailey would require moving into the top five, and that kind of jump doesn’t come cheap.
According to Todd McShay, the Cardinals have engaged in trade discussions with the Cowboys centered on Bailey. Arizona picks third overall and could find a willing partner if their preferred targets are gone when they’re on the clock.
Moving from 12 to 3 would likely cost both first-rounders and then some. The Cowboys might need to attach a 2027 first or multiple Day 2 selections to make the math work. That’s a steep price for any prospect, but Dallas’ desperation at edge rusher makes it a calculation worth considering.
Texas Tech edge David Bailey, one of the Draft’s top players at his position, spent this week visiting the #Cowboys (12th) and #Chiefs (9th), per me and @MikeGarafolo. He also visited with the #AZCardinals (3rd) the week after the Combine. pic.twitter.com/cM6CDAJWyM
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 3, 2026
The Parsons trade left a crater in the Cowboys’ pass rush. Dallas ranked 30th in scoring defense in 2025, allowing 30.1 points per game. According to PFSN’s Defense Impact Metric, the Cowboys’ defense was the worst unit in the league last season.
They swung and missed on a trade for Maxx Crosby, who remained with the Las Vegas Raiders, and watched Trey Hendrickson linger on the open market, who later signed with the Baltimore Ravens.
The Rashan Gary trade addressed the position but didn’t solve it. Bailey would change the equation. The former Stanford transfer posted 14.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss in his final college season at Texas Tech, earning Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year and unanimous All-American honors. His first step is borderline unfair, consistently putting offensive tackles in recovery mode before they can set their feet.
How Bailey Fits Christian Parker’s 3-4 Vision
New defensive coordinator Christian Parker is transitioning Dallas to a 3-4 base, and Bailey profiles as exactly what that scheme needs. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound rusher thrives as a stand-up outside linebacker who can win with speed off the edge or convert to power with his bull rush.
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Parker came from Philadelphia’s defensive staff, where he helped develop players like Quinyon Mitchell. His system emphasizes versatility and the ability to rush from multiple alignments. Bailey’s deep pass-rush arsenal, including his signature ghost move, rip moves, and inside spin, would give Parker a chess piece to deploy against opposing tackles.
Bailey struggles against the run and needs technical refinement before becoming a complete player. But Parker’s scheme can mask those deficiencies by deploying Bailey as a designated pass rusher in favorable situations, much like how the Eagles used Brandon Graham in his prime.
Dallas has the draft capital to make a move. The question is whether Jerry Jones is willing to mortgage future flexibility for a player who could restore the pass-rush identity that left with Parsons.
Given the Cowboys’ championship window with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens, waiting another year might not be an option.
