Cowboys Projected To Steal Pass-Rusher David Bailey In NFL Draft; Fact Or Fantasy?

FRISCO - The NFL Draft is fast approaching, with prospects going through their Pro Days ... and with the Dallas Cowboys in Lubbock on Thursday to eyeball a top prospect in Texas Tech's David Bailey.

Many draft experts don't envision Bailey lasting past the first handful of picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, and given his 2025 season for the Red Raiders, it is easy to see why.

Bailey was an All-American, posting a whopping 14.5 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles.

That is some high-level production. 

But then we add in that he did all of that in just 14 games, and you get a sense of why Bailey is touted as one of the best pass rushers in college football.

NFL teams - Dallas included, obviously - want that sort of production and have an edge rusher who can dictate games all by themselves, and Bailey qualifies.

In fact, we could make the argument that not only is he the best pass-rusher in this NFL Draft ... he might be its best player.

Set to go quarterback hunting when he reaches the NFL, just which team he will land with is a fascinating topic of discussion.

For instance: NFL.com's Chad Reuter, in his latest mock draft, has Robert Saleh's Tennessee Titans taking Bailey at No. 4.

“Bailey's excellent senior season locked up a top-five draft slot,” Reuter wrote. “The Titans need his superb combination of power and closing speed on the edge, even after trading for Jermaine Johnson II.”

What Bailey could develop into under the guidance of Saleh and the Titans' defense is an interesting thought.

But one Cowboys fan site seems Bailey somehow dropping to Dallas' slot at No. 12.

Could that really happen? 

Let's mock-draft it out ...

1. Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana - that's a lock.

2. Jets: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State - that's the media consensus.

3. Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami, or Bailey - and that'd be the end of the Dallas dream.

4. Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame, or Bailey - same issue.

5. Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State - Cowboys would've liked him at 12.

6. Browns: Spencer Fano, OL, Utah, or Mauigoa - O-line, either way?

7. Commanders: Bailey, or if he's gone, Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami - some think Bain would be a Cowboys consolation prize at No. 12.

8. Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State - another media consensus.

9. Chiefs: Is Bain gone? Is Fano gone? - It gets interesting here; maybe a reach?

10. Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State - another Cowboys target, gone.

11. Dolphins: Could they reach for an O-lineman (Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia)? Or a receiver?

And then we get to the Cowboys at No. 12. Reese, Bailey, Styles, Bain, Downs ... all gone. The sexy idea of the running back Love? Gone? So even with a reach by some team ahead of them (receiver Jordyn Tyson of Arizona State? QB Ty Simpson of Alabama?) ... I keep coming back to ...

 Mansoor Delane, cornerback, LSU.

That can obviously work, too; he is seen as a plug-and-play NFL starter, and Dallas needs help there.

In the end, that leaves the idea of Bailey to Dallas as a fantasy.

Bailey, 6-3, 250, is a pass rush ace with a vast array of weapons to use in his attempts at getting after the quarterback.

We know NFL defenses like to try to neutralize pass rushers by using the run game, and often running straight at those game-wreckers, so Bailey might have to add some run defense to his game.

But make no mistake about it, if given the chance to go quarterback hunting, Bailey is expected to collect souls at the next level.

With several teams crying out for a bona fide pass-rusher, getting the best one in college football is a good bet.

Bailey off the board at No. 3? At No. 4? No way getting past No. 7? That mirrors the way we see it.

Bailey - the game-wrecker for the Red Raiders - lasting until pick No. 12 and getting the chance to do the same thing in Dallas? We'll call that a "fantasy.''