Cowboys Predicted to Make Blockbuster Trade for Top Draft Pick

Dallas reportedly eyeing elite edge rusher to bolster defense

Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:52pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football player in the midst of a pass rush, with their body broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and form.An aggressive first-round trade could land the Cowboys a cornerstone pass rusher to anchor their defense.Dallas Today

According to a new NFL mock draft, the Dallas Cowboys are expected to orchestrate a massive first-round trade to move up and select Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey with a top-3 pick. The proposed deal would see the Cowboys send the No. 12 overall pick, two additional selections, and a 2027 first-rounder to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for the No. 3 overall pick and a fourth-round choice.

Why it matters

The Cowboys have historically been aggressive in the draft, and landing a premier pass-rushing talent like Bailey could be the missing piece to elevate their defense and push the team over the playoff hump. Pairing Bailey with the existing talent on the Dallas defense would create significant problems for opposing offenses in the NFC East.

The details

In the proposed trade, the Cowboys would send the No. 12 overall pick, their fourth-round selection (No. 92), a fifth-round pick (No. 177), and a 2027 first-round choice to the Cardinals in exchange for the No. 3 overall pick and a fourth-rounder (No. 104). Bailey, a dominant edge rusher from Texas Tech, is projected to be one of the top defensive prospects in the 2026 class, with PFSN ranking him as the No. 1 edge rusher based on their EDGE Impact metric.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26, 2026.

The players

David Bailey

A standout edge rusher from Texas Tech University who is projected to be a top-3 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Micah Parsons

The current star linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys, who the team may be looking to replace with a premier defensive piece like Bailey.

Todd McShay

An NFL Draft analyst who has reported that the Cowboys could be willing to move up the board to target elite defensive talent.

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What they’re saying

“Reports from NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay have already hinted that the Dallas Cowboys could be a team willing to move up the board for elite defensive help. One name firmly in that conversation is Texas Tech's David Bailey.”

— Alec Elijah, PFSN Analyst

What’s next

The Cowboys will need to finalize their draft strategy and trade negotiations with the Cardinals ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft in late April.

The takeaway

This potential blockbuster trade highlights the Cowboys' willingness to be aggressive in the draft to acquire elite defensive talent that can elevate their roster and push the team towards a championship. Securing a dominant edge rusher like David Bailey could be the missing piece to their defensive puzzle.