Todd McShay Drops New Cowboys Rumors on Potential Trade to Land NFL Draft's No. 1 EDGE Rusher

NFL Draft expert Todd McShay says there is "buzz" around the NFL that the Dallas Cowboys might trade up from the No. 12 pick in order to select Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey in the 2026 NFL draft.

Bailey is currently projected to go to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 in Bleacher Report's latest 2026 NFL mock draft.

"Trading out of No. 3 remains one of the priorities, or one of the things that could absolutely happen with Arizona," McShay said around the 15:00 mark of Friday's episode of The McShay Show. "There's a lot of buzz about Dallas, and what comes to the noise, with Dallas trading up from 12 to three to get Bailey, right?

"Keep it in state. Texas Tech, pass rusher. Most importantly, they've put all their efforts into rebuilding that defense over the last year."

McShay noted that the Cardinals may instead trade back "one or two spots," should the franchise trade out of No. 3, in order to target a player like Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love instead.

The Cowboys are heading into the 2026 NFL draft with eight picks, including Nos. 12 and 20 in the first round and No. 92 in the third.

The Athletic's Bruce Feldman projected in his latest mock draft that it would cost the Cowboys the No. 12 and No. 92 picks in order to move up to No. 3.

The Cardinals, who lost offensive tackles Jonah Williams and Kelvin Beachum to free agency, could then target Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling at No. 12, Feldman projected.

When asked about the potential of moving first-round picks earlier this week, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones recently said he will "entertain improving" his franchise's draft position.

"When you've got the kind of assets or the kind of ammunition we've got in this draft, you should look at all machinations," Jones said Wednesday.

B/R NFL scout Matt Holder described Bailey as a player "a deep bag of pass-rush moves to be a significant contributor on third downs in the NFL," which could potentially help him boost a unit that struggled in the absence of Micah Parsons last season.

How confident Jones and the Cowboys feel about their pass rush after signing Rashan Gary this offseason could impact how much the franchise would be willing to give up in order to target Bailey when the draft kicks off April 23 in Pittsburgh.