Micah Parsons being traded from the Dallas Cowboys to the Green Bay Packers just before the start of the season will undoubtedly go down as one of the biggest moves in NFL history. The deal completely altered the trajectories of both franchises, pushing the Packers into Super Bowl contention and the Cowboys into a confusing state of limbo.
With extra draft capital in tow for Dallas, fans are already starting to look forward to the upcoming rookie class. While offensive superstars like Arch Manning and Garrett Nussmeier might steal most of the attention, there are plenty of defensive prospects to get excited about.
Just a couple of weeks into the college football season, one edge rusher is starting to emerge as an obvious fit with the Cowboys.
Rueben Bain Jr. makes too much sense for Cowboys in 2026 NFL Draft
After two games, Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. looks like an absolute game-wrecker. The 6'3", 275-pound defender has dominated the Hurricanes' early slate, solidifying himself as one of the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class.
Bain plays with overwhelming power and explosiveness, similar to Los Angeles Rams standout Jared Verse. He is able to set a hard edge against the run and force his way past offensive tackles to pressure the quarterback.
He looked like the best player on the field in Miami's opening win against Notre Dame, ending the day with six tackles, half a sack, and an interception. He followed it up with another dominant performance against Bethune-Cookman, getting a sack and a forced fumble on limited playing time.
The edge rusher is the centerpiece of Miami's defense, and he projects to fill a similar role at the next level. He's currently the fifth-ranked player on ESPN's big board, and he has the chance to rise even higher.
Dallas might need to trade up in the draft to acquire the Miami prospect, but his talent would be more than worth it. After trading Parsons, Jerry Jones made his mission to stop the run abundantly clear. Bain could bring a new level of physicality to the Cowboys' run defense while providing enough pass-rushing juice to be dangerous on every down.
No draft prospect is a one-for-one replacement for Parsons, but Bain might be as close as Dallas can get in the upcoming draft class. If the Cowboys have the opportunity to draft him next April, they shouldn't hesitate.