The Dallas Cowboys must come out with difference makers on defense in this year's draft. Anything less than two Week 1 starters will be considered less than satisfactory.
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs was in play for Dallas not long ago, but over the last month, he’s surged firmly into the top 10. With the Cowboys picking at No. 12, their dream of landing a long-term difference-maker at safety is fading. One prospect trending the opposite direction, however, is Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr.
With a 92.8 overall grade on Pro Football Focus, Bain Jr. was one of the best pass rushers in the country this past season. With less than a month until draft night, analyst Jonah Tuls thinks there's a better chance that Bain falls to Dallas than LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, who lit up LSU's Pro Day this week.
It’s more likely that Rueben Bain falls to Dallas at 12 than Mansoor Delane.
— Jonah Tuls (@JonahTuls) March 23, 2026
Drafting Rueben Bain Jr. would be a dream come true for the Dallas Cowboys
Bain Jr. would be a surprise fall to No. 12, but concerns about his measurables have harmed his stock since the pre-draft process started. His 30 7/8-inch arms ranked as the third shortest for an edge rusher at the combine over the last 25 years, per PFF.
Bain was a one-man wrecking crew at times in 2025, even with potential first-round pick Hakeem Mesidor on the other side of him. He was a catalyst in Miami's run to the College Football Playoff National Championship, recording 9.5 sacks, 54 tackles, and 15 tackles for loss.
If Bain's arm length is his only flaw as a prospect, Cowboys fans shouldn't care as much about that compared to the production that he already has on tape.
Delane would be a great pick for Dallas, but after an outstanding showing at his Pro Day, he may have played his way inside the top 10. Those teams would be justified in taking a cornerback like Delane, which could force the Cowboys to look elsewhere.
With Delane’s stock rising -- and Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, David Bailey, and Caleb Downs all viewed as top-10 locks -- Bain is the most likely of the elite defenders to fall to Dallas. Some teams simply won't have him on their big board because of his arm length.
Bain is far from the only appealing option for Dallas, but if he’s available, Jerry Jones shouldn’t think twice about turning in the pick.