The 2026 NFL draft class is unique in that the highest-graded talents mostly play non-premium positions.
The setup is exactly why a prospect of David Bailey’s caliber could easily become a top-three selection since he’s the incoming crop’s best pure pass-rusher.
The FBS’ leading sack artist is picking up a lot of steam as the event approaches on April 23-25, with the possibility of a team making a major move to acquire his services.
The latest buzz has the Dallas Cowboys being heavily interested in Bailey, with the third overall pick possibly in play regarding a potential trade-up scenario.
The Arizona Cardinals, who currently own the selection, should be more than willing to consider offers as the organization’s decision-makers attempt to bolster the squad’s all-around talent level.
“Trading out of No. 3 remains one of the priorities, or one of the things that could absolutely happen with Arizona,” The Ringer’s Todd McShay told The McShay Show. “There’s a lot of buzz about Dallas, and what comes to the noise, with Dallas trading up from 12 to three to get Bailey, right?
“Keep it in state. Texas Tech, pass-rusher. Most importantly, they’ve put all their efforts into rebuilding that defense over the last year.”
Two things must come to fruition for this scenario to play out once the first round begins. First, the New York Jets must pass on Bailey, with Ohio State’s Arvell Reese being the other likely option. Second, the Cowboys have to offer a strong return for the Cardinals to move out of the Top 10 entirely.
To add fuel to this fire, Bailey, who isn’t expected to slide, had a predraft visit with the Cowboys, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.
Dallas owns the 12th and 20th overall selections in this year’s first round. A little extra will likely need to be thrown into the mix. The Houston Texans made the same leap three years ago when they moved back up to select Will Anderson Jr. They had to give up two firsts, a second and a third-round pick to complete a deal.
This projection will only have Dallas giving up its current first-round selections, though keep in mind that it’ll require a little more.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
2. New York Jets: Edge Arvell Reese, Ohio State
3. Dallas Cowboys (from Arizona): Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech
4. Tennessee Titans: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
5. New York Giants: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
6. Cleveland Browns: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
7. Washington Commanders: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
8. New Orleans Saints: Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
9. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Spencer Fano, Utah
10. Cincinnati Bengals: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
11. Miami Dolphins: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
12. Arizona Cardinals (via Dallas): OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta): WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
14. Baltimore Ravens: IOL Vega Ioane, Penn State
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis): WR Makai Lemon, USC
17. Detroit Lions: OT Blake Miller, Clemson
18. Minnesota Vikings: S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
19. Carolina Panthers: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
20. Arizona Cardinals (via Dallas and Green Bay): QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
22. Los Angeles Chargers: DL Keldric Faulk, Auburn
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Edge Malachi Lawrence, UCF
24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville): WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
25. Chicago Bears: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
26. Buffalo Bills: Edge Gabe Jacas, Illinois
27. San Francisco 49ers: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
28. Houston Texans: OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via LA Rams): Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson
30. Miami Dolphins (via Denver): CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
31. New England Patriots: Edge Zion Young, Missouri
32. Seattle Seahawks: CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State
How Trade Impacts Arizona Cardinals
A trade-down isn’t just an opportunity for the Cardinals to add draft ammunition and improve multiple areas of the roster—even though both are true in this situation. Instead, the most important aspect of a possible move is how Arizona can stack the board in its favor.
Yes, the Cardinals could land a top-notch prospect with this year’s third overall pick. However, two first-round talents can be far more beneficial for a squad that managed only one winning season in its last 10.
Specifically, the Cardinals desperately need a fresh start at the quarterback position after releasing Kyler Murray.
In this scenario, the 12th overall pick can be used to address a position of need. Miami’s Francis Mauigoa is a plug-and-play right tackle for the Cardinals, and the rookie can add a level of toughness the group has lacked.
Arizona should be quite happy with the way the picks played out, because Mauigoa is considered a legitimate option with the third overall pick.
The second selection acquired from the Cowboys is the more important choice, because the Cardinals are set up perfectly to invest in their next starting quarterback.
Alabama’s Ty Simpson will come into play during the second half of the first round. By obtaining the 20th overall pick, Arizona finds itself A) drafting ahead of other QB-needy teams and B) not needing to trade back into the first frame and use up some of its assets to target the game’s most important position.
“Arizona has liked Simpson for a while, a source told ESPN in the fall,” Josh Weinfuss reported. “Adding to the intrigue will be whether the Cardinals believe Simpson is worth trading away a high draft pick instead of waiting until the 2027 draft, when a better crop of quarterbacks will be coming out.”
This scenario offers an alternative where Arizona doesn’t need to give away anything. The Cardinals can then open the 2026 campaign with veteran Jacoby Brissett as their starting quarterback before he eventually gives way to Simpson.
How Trade Impacts Dallas Cowboys
The Micah Parsons trade must be viewed as sunk cost and should not, in any way, become a punchline for how poorly the Cowboys handled that situation, while considering an opportunity to trade up in the draft for—checks notes—another pass-rusher.
Dallas is in the midst of a defensive overhaul from a new defensive coordinator to a different scheme and multiple talent acquisitions. The Cowboys already brought Rashan Gary over from the Packers, but the team wants to ensure it can harass opposing quarterbacks.
Last year’s 30th-ranked defense managed 35 sacks. For comparison, the Denver Broncos, who led the league, nearly doubled that figure.
Bailey immediately adds juice to the unit. He may not be an every-down defender, but the reigning Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year can make life miserable for offensive tackles and those dropping back to pass.
“No edge-rusher posted a higher true pass-rush win rate (41.7 percent), making Bailey the only defender in the class above 40 percent,” Pro Football Focus’ Mark Chichester noted, “and his 40.7 percent pressure rate comfortably led the group, with the next closest rusher at 35.9 percent.”
Bailey’s pass-rush grade ranked third during the PFF era behind only Myles Garrett and Chase Young.
The Cowboys offense can move the ball and score points. A defender, who can pin his ears back and create consistent pressure, is an ideal complementary piece, even if it means surrendering the extra first-round pick Dallas obtained in the Parsons trade.
How the Trade Impacts NFL Draft
This projected deal shakes up the first round for multiple teams.
If the Tennessee Titans want to draft Bailey, those hopes will be dashed, with the team likely pivoting to running back Jeremiyah Love or linebacker Sonny Styles.
The Washington Commanders, New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs are all looking for an added pass-rush boost and own picks among the back end of this year’s Top 10. Bailey coming off the board sooner rather than later will make Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. a sought-after target.
The quarterback market will quickly change as well since Simpson is the class’ clear QB2.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns and New York Jets could easily come out of this year’s draft with no real solution behind center, while the Cardinals will have obtained their target and the opportunity to start building around the quarterback position.
