Dallas craves a game-changing pass rusher. Texas Tech's David Bailey, a dominant force, could be that elusive answer, even if it requires a bold draft-day move.
There's no denying that the Dallas Cowboys have to get their draft picks right, and yes, that's the same every year, but this time it feels different.
The offense is Super Bowl-caliber, there's no disputing that, but the defense needs a lot of work.
After being one of the worst in football last season under Matt Eberflus, the Cowboys, under the guidance of Christian Parker, have gone to work to overhaul the embattled unit.
Good free agent signings at key positions have the Cowboys in a solid spot ahead of the NFL Draft, where they will look to add a couple of starters for Parker's defense.
Having been linked with nearly every key defensive player, Dallas has two first-round picks at its disposal (No. 12 and No. 20), so it will be a key player early on.
Arvell Reese, Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles, Mansoor Delane and David Bailey (and Rueben Bain?) are seen as the big-ticket items for the Cowboys at No. 12, and in truth, all could be off the board by the time Dallas picks.
But who would be the ideal pick for Dallas at No. 12?
For Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski, that's Texas Tech's David Bailey.
"This pairing may be cheating slightly, because David Bailey isn't expected to be on the board when the Dallas Cowboys make their initial first-round selection," Sobleski wrote.
"However, the organization may get aggressive to ensure it bolsters its pass rush. Dallas wants a pass-rusher and a move for Bailey makes the most sense."
Getting one of the best pass rushers in the draft would qualify as an ideal pick, but as Sobleski pointed out, it isn't likely he'll last until No. 12.
At the same time, Dallas holds the ammunition to trade way up in this draft, if it wishes to.
Coming off an All-American season that saw Bailey take quarterbacks' souls for fun, he posted a whopping 19.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks in just 14 games. Bailey, along Dallas' defensive line, would be terrifying.
Yes, there are other needs at corner and linebacker, but Bailey somehow falling to the Cowboys would be the very definition of a dream scenario.
A speed merchant off the edge, Bailey will give the Cowboys defense something that they didn't have last season, and that was a player who can consistently get after the quarterback.
Not just in terms of sack numbers, but pressure, as once Micah Parsons was traded, the Cowboys lost that arrow in their quiver on defense. Bailey brings it back.
Bailey an ideal pick? You better believe it.