The Dallas Cowboys currently need a little bit of everything on the defensive side of the ball in the 2026 NFL Draft.
There’s a constant drumbeat of reporting that Jerry Jones will be more aggressive in free agency, so ideally, the Cowboys’ list of needs shrinks significantly between now and April 23. Until that happens, though, we can only react to the roster as it stands, and a stunning Titans-Jets trade just gave Dallas the worst kind of clarity about its draft board.
Per reports, the Titans have traded defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat to the Jets for defensive end Jermaine Johnson in a swap of former high draft picks who no longer fit under their teams' new regimes. Beyond shuffling talent, the deal brings Tennessee's and New York's draft intentions into sharper focus.
You can all but pencil in Ohio State linebacker/edge rusher Arvell Reese to the Jets at No. 2 overall, while the Titans will likely turn their attention to Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain.
The Dallas Cowboys' dream of drafting Rueben Bain is fading after Jets-Titans trade
Reese was never expected to fall to the Cowboys at No. 12. He’s widely viewed as a near lock to go in the top five, and he only strengthened that projection by confirming he’ll participate in both linebacker and edge rusher drills at the NFL Combine.
Bain is a different story. While he was one of the most disruptive defenders in college football last season, questions about his arm length have fueled speculation that the former Miami star could slide on draft night.
For Dallas, this trade makes that outcome far less realistic.
Bain has the versatility to line up both inside and off the edge. While the Titans still have All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons under contract, head coach Robert Saleh could benefit from adding another movable chess piece to the front.
While Johnson is a former first-round pick, he hasn't been nearly as productive following a torn Achilles suffered during his third season. Make no mistake: Tennessee still needs pass rushers.
Cowboys fans should be rooting for the Titans to take Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey. While Bailey is another dream pick for Dallas, there's virtually zero chance he slips outside the top 10. The same can't be said for Bain because of his historically short arms. If Tennessee drafts Bailey, it eliminates another potential destination for Bain.
The Cowboys’ draft won’t hinge on landing Reese or Bain. In fact, they should prepare for both to be long gone by the time they’re on the clock. But assuming those two sit near the top of Dallas’ board, this trade makes it easier to cross them off entirely.