There is no clear-cut overall number 1 NFL draft pick on most pro scouts' boards this year. The closest thing to a consensus is Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, who will almost certainly be the first QB taken, assuming he comes out as expected.
On defense, Miami's monster defensive lineman Ruben Bain Jr. and versatile linebacker Arvell Reese from Ohio State are at or near the top of a lot of big boards.
The Dalals Cowboys are projected to have the No. 13 and No. 21picks in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and what they need to do with that strong draft capital is very clear.
Jerry Jones and the Cowboys need to trade up to get David Bailey, the dynamic edge rusher from Texas Tech, on Day 1. After his dominant performance in the Capital One Orange Bowl on Thursday, he will undoubtedly be a top 10 pick, and Dallas will have to put together a package to move up to fill a major area of need on the defensive line.
David Bailey can be the Cowboys' next great pass rusher
If you've been following the Texas Tech Red Raiders all season, then you already know how talented Bailey is. If you're a more casual college football fan and were introduced to the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Irvine, California native, during their loss to the Oregon Ducks at Hard Rock Stadium, then you saw exactly what he brings to the table.
Bailey's elite get-off, raw power, athleticism, football IQ, and intensity were all on display as he was arguably the best player on the field for either team Thursday afternoon.
He finished with 9 tackles (5 solo), 3 TFLs, a sack, and two balls swatted down on the day. Even as Tech's offense was pathetically anemic and forced their defense into a mind-boggling 74 snaps, Bailey was stout throughout and not only solidified his top-10 draft status but may have moved into the top 5. He finished an impressive season with 15.5 sacks.
Drafting Bailey would signal a complete heel-turn from the Micah Parsons era and usher in a significant upgrade from current EDGE players like veteran Dante Fowler and Sam Williams. He would be the perfect bookend to an emerging second-year defender, Donovan Ezeiruaku.
Hopefully, the Jones family was watching the Orange Bowl closely and will look at pushing the Cowboys up far enough to land Bailey when the 2026 draft takes place in Pittsburgh.