The Dallas Cowboys have long been built on star power off the edge, but with Micah Parsons now in Green Bay, DeMarcus Lawrence gone, and Dorance Armstrong elsewhere, the pass rush depth has thinned considerably.
Donovan Ezeiruaku, this year's second-round pick out of Boston College, has started to find his footing early in his career, but he can’t do it alone.
The bottom line? Dallas needs another wave of edge talent to restore the defensive front’s bite.
Looking toward the 2026 NFL Draft, here are three pass rushers -- one from each day -- who could help reshape the Cowboys’ defensive identity.
Day One: David Bailey, Texas Tech
Few defenders in college football have been as consistently disruptive as Bailey. After transferring from Stanford to Texas Tech, Bailey has exploded into one of the nation’s most dominant edge rushers, ranking top three nationally in pressure win rate with 11 sacks under his belt already.
At 6-foot-3, 255 pounds, he’s a complete pass rusher -- powerful enough to collapse pockets and fast enough to win the corner. His technical refinement also stands out as he utilizes his hands like a veteran with limited wasted movement.
For a Dallas team that’s lost multiple impact rushers in recent years, Bailey’s blend of production, explosiveness, and discipline makes him a potential tone-setter. Lining him up opposite Ezeiruaku would give the Cowboys the kind of two-way pressure pairing they’ve lacked since the Parsons-Lawrence days of yesteryear.
Day Two: Romello Height, Texas Tech
Texas Tech’s other edge force in Height, has been nearly as impactful as his teammate -- forming arguably the best pass-rushing duo in the country.
While not quite as twitchy or sudden as Bailey, Height brings a unique combination of bend, closing speed, and effort, winning with consistency, leverage, and strength at the point of attack.
In Dallas, where rotational depth and versatility are always valued, Height could immediately contribute as a sub-package edge who develops into a reliable starter.
Day Three: Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
Barham’s story is one of transition and upside. Originally an off-ball linebacker at Maryland, Barham transferred to Michigan to unlock his potential as a full-time edge defender -- and the traits are undeniable.
At 243 pounds, he fits the Cowboys’ prototypical athletic profile for the position: explosive, alignment versatile, and physical. While his production hasn’t matched his athletic gifts just yet, the flashes are eye-opening -- quick first step, heavy hands, and the ability to flatten and close.
Dallas has had success developing raw, traits-based rushers before, and Barham fits a similar mold. His experience as a linebacker also gives him an understanding of run fits and coverage responsibilities, making him a flexible piece to mold that doesn't have to be a master of one phase of the position right away.