The good news for Dallas Cowboys fans is that the worst trade of their lifetime has already happened. The bad news is, well, just about everything else.
On Thursday, Dallas sent All-World edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. The move ends the tenure of a near-generational talent in an avoidable mess that only Jerry Jones could conjure. It all but ends Dallas's championship aspirations, shifts the balance of power in the NFC, and leaves the Cowboys without a premier pass rusher for the foreseeable future.
With two first-round picks in their arsenal, though, they'll have a chance to rebuild with cheap, high-level talents. Let's take a look at some edge rushers that could one day be tasked with filling Parsons's shoes.
Round 1 Micah Parsons Replacements
Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
Bain offers a different risk profile than Cincinnati Bengals rookie Shemar Stewart, but for Cowboys fans who feel they missed out last April, the Miami product has similar appeal. He's a strong run defender who has a high ceiling as a pass rusher.
Like Stewart, Bain has consistently demonstrated the ability to moonlight inside when necessary. While Dallas's current roster doesn't demand such an assignment, it's a useful tool to have in his bag.
Bain's hand usage is strong, and his ability to convert speed to power is among the best in the class. Facing a strong Notre Dame offense in Week 1, Bain will have his work cut out for him on his way to the top of the 2026 NFL Draft.
LT Overton, Alabama
The Cowboys will hope that a post-Parsons defense is better equipped to stop the run. It isn't the best bet to make, but if the front office wants to double down, drafting Overton in the back half of Round 1 makes a good amount of sense.
At 280 pounds, Overton has more than enough mass to win on early downs. He is already capable of winning against the run on Sundays, and there's enough pass-rushing upside to warrant Day 1 consideration.
Overton's speed-to-power is strong, and he's a good athlete for his size. A rise into the top 10 is possible if he flashes more bend and develops better counters. With two first-round picks at its disposal, Dallas is well equipped to add Overton, even if his stock skyrockets in the coming months.
David Bailey, Texas Tech
Bain and Overton are high-floor options because of their run defense, but when have the Cowboys been scared to gamble? Bailey is bound to be one of the class's most polarizing prospects.
There might not be a better pure pass rusher coming out of college this spring than Bailey. His bend is freakish, his burst checks the box, his power exceeds his 250-pound frame, and he has a proficient feel for technique. However, Bailey was intentionally used as a rotational piece at Stanford because of his struggles against the run.
Bailey's stock comes down to two questions: Can he improve against the run, and how valuable is an elite rotational rusher?
It's far too early to write off development on early downs. Thus, Bailey may hear his name called in Round 1. Dallas won't be picking a Parsons-level pass rusher with its newfound capital, but Bailey has the ingredients to be the next-best thing.
Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Clemson's T.J. Parker is the consensus top edge rusher in the class, and he seems destined to be taken before either of the Cowboys' picks (Dak Prescott is still really good!). Faulk, though, will enter the season higher on my board.
With prototypical size (6-5, 270) and good athleticism, it doesn't take much to see Faulk making plays on Sundays. His blend of near-elite athletic traits inspires upside, boasting burst, bend, and closing speed that each checks the box. His size and hand placement help him make plays against the run and elevate his floor as a pass rusher.
If the Cowboys prioritize the pass rush with their first selection, Faulk is a likely candidate. After sharpening iron against SEC competition for another season, his pro-ready skill set should garner plenty of top-15 hype.
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