![\"MIAMI](\"https:\/\/platform.bloggingtheboys.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2026\/03\/gettyimages-2256822754.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100\")
<\/a><\/p>\nMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 19: Rueben Bain #4 of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a sack during the second half of the College Football Playoff National Championship between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Miami Hurricanes against the Indiana Hoosiers at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by CFP\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n
There has been more talk over the last week that Rueben Bain Jr. could fall out of the top 10 in this draft class for whatever reason (short arms I guess?). With Washington loading up on edge rushers in free agency, their focus has shifted to linebacker, defensive back, and offensive weapons. Kansas City lost a ton of secondary pieces and will likely be looking to restock their secondary. With team needs changing over the last week, the odds of one of Reuben Bain, David Bailey, Caleb Downs, or Mansoor Delane falling to 12 has grown by a bit. Luckily for Dallas in this scenario they land one of the best players in the draft.<\/p>\n
In Christian Parker\u2019s new-look defense, it\u2019s obvious he\u2019s looking for versatile defenders that can play multiple roles. Rueben Bain fits that perfectly, he just has short arms. Bain is a tenacious pass rusher and run defender, that despite having below average arm length, still wins with his hands, power, and technique as a pass rusher and run defender.<\/p>\n
While the Cowboys traded for Rashan Gary, their inability to generate pass rush is still an issue heading into the draft. Gary is a well-known run defender, but his pass rush win rate and high quality pressure metrics put him in the bottom half of the league for edge\u2019s. Bain is an instant impact defender on the defensive line and has the versatility to play up-and-down the line in even or odd front schemes. He is also working closely with Cowboys\u2019 pass rush specialist BT Jordan this offseason in his preparation for the NFL draft.<\/p>\n
Best available: Aveion Terrell, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Keldric Faulk, Ahkeem Mesidor<\/p>\n
The Pick: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson<\/p>\n
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 08: Avieon Terrell #8 of the Clemson Tigers hypes up the fans during the second half of a football game against the Florida State Seminoles at Memorial Stadium on November 08, 2025 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n In a perfect world, the Cowboys would love for Georgia linebacker CJ Allen to be available here, but he goes 15th overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With Allen off the board, the Cowboys get one heck of consolation prize in Clemson\u2019s Avieon Terrell.<\/p>\n Terrell, brother of Falcons CB A.J. Terrell, was one of the best cornerbacks in the ACC over the last few seasons. Terrell, like a lot of the Clemson defenders, had an up-and-down 2025 for the Tigers, but his skillset is NFL ready. While he lacks the ideal measurements at the position, Terrell is a sticky cover corner that is feisty against the run and competitive at the catch point. Terrell\u2019s ability to play both inside and out, as well as his scheme versatility, makes him an ideal fit in Christian Parker\u2019s defense, checking a lot of the boxes Parker looks for in his defensive backs.<\/p>\n Best available: Jaishawn Barham, LT Overton, Daylen Everett, Zakee Wheatley<\/p>\n The Pick: Jaishawn Barham, LB\/EDGE, Michigan<\/p>\n ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 13: Jaishawn Barham #1 of the Michigan Wolverines sacks Joe Labas #2 of the Central Michigan Chippewas during the first half of a college football game at Michigan Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 63-3. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n One of the first players that comes to mind when watching Jaishawn Barham\u2019s 2025 tape is Eagles\u2019 edge Nolan Smith. Barham\u2019s 2025 tape is littered with impressive play on the edge, but most of his snaps at Michigan have come as an off-the-ball linebacker, which makes him another intriguing fit for Christian Parker.<\/p>\n While Barham is not your typical MIKE linebacker, his ability to split time on the edge as a pass rusher and tenacious run defender, paired with his ability to play off-the-ball make him a perfect fit in Parker\u2019s heavy 3-4 scheme he plans on deploying in Dallas. Barham does not fix the Cowboys hole at inside linebacker, but his ability to rush the passer, while playing with tenacity, athleticism, and take on skills at linebacker would be a fun fit in Dallas.<\/p>\n Best available: Keyshaun Elliott, Brennen Thompson, Bud Clark, Anthony Lucas<\/p>\n The Pick: Keyshaun Elliott, LB, Arizona State<\/p>\n TUCSON, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 30: Linebacker Keyshaun Elliott #44 of the Arizona State Sun Devils celebrates a defensive stop against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half of the NCAAF game at Arizona Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona. The Suns Devils defeated the Wildcats 49-7. (Photo by Kelsey Grant\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n The theme of this offseason (straight from Jerry Jones mouth) is investing in assets on the defense. After checking a box at edge, defensive back, utility edge\/linebacker, the Cowboys go back to the defensive well with Keyshaun Elliott in round four.<\/p>\n Elliott is still flying a bit under the radar, but in terms of physical inside linebackers, there are few better in this class. Elliott\u2019s hair-on-fire play-style is much needed in Dallas, and while he\u2019s a force against the run, his effectiveness as a blitzer and glimpses in coverage show a player that can be a three-down starter in the NFL. Elliott\u2019s football character and leadership cannot be talked about enough when discussing him with people around the league and college football.<\/p>\n Best available: Caden Curry, Devon Marshall, Taurean York, Le\u2019Veon Moss<\/p>\n The Pick: Caden Curry, DL, Ohio State<\/p>\n INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 06: Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Caden Curry (92) celebrates on the field during the Big 10 Championship game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Indiana Hoosiers on December 6, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n After trading Osa Odighzuwa and Solomon Thomas during the first week of free agency, the Cowboys will be looking for versatile defensive lineman who can fill the void. It\u2019s tough to find a more versatile player in college football over the 2025 season than Ohio State\u2019s Caden Curry.<\/p>\n Despite his lack of ideal athletic traits at the position, Curry was one of Ohio State\u2019s most effective defensive lineman in 2025 (11 sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss, 66 tackles, 14.7% pass rush win rate). While there are very few \u201cwow\u201d wins on tape, Curry plays with an impressive relentlessness as a pass rusher and run defender and was effective at multiple positions for the Buckeyes in 2025. Curry primarily played on the edge, but played every position on the defensive line in some capacity in 2025. His ability to lineup and get the job done at 9-tech, 5-tech, 4i, 3-tech, and the 1 and 0-tech would give Parker and defensive line coach Marcus Dixon a lot of different options.<\/p>\n Best available: Jeff Caldwell, Drew Shelton, Aiden Fisher, Quintavious Hutchins<\/p>\n The Pick: Jeff Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati<\/p>\n Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Jeff Caldwell (9) catches a pass as Bowling Green Falcons cornerback Jalen McClendon (8) defends in the second quarter of the NCAA football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Bowling Green Falcons at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati on Sept. 6, 2025. Albert Cesare\/The Enquirer \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n Finally! An offensive player. Realistically, the Cowboys could go this entire draft without taking an offensive player and it would be fine, but at this point in the draft and after addressing edge, cornerback, linebacker, and defensive line, the Cowboys can take a gamble on a freak athlete that could potential make the roster as a depth receiver.<\/p>\n Caldwell ran a 4.31 and posted a 42\u201d vertical and 11\u20192\u201d broad jump at the combine at 6-foot-5, 216-lbs. While the Cowboys are in a great spot at wide receiver in 2026, the uncertainty surrounding George Pickens\u2019 long-term future in Dallas could have the Cowboys take a gamble on a wide receiver on day three that could battle for a roster spot in year one, and potentially take on a bigger role in year two, like Ryan Flournoy.<\/p>\n Best available: Aamil Wagner, Aiden Fisher, Cade Klubnik, J\u2019Mari Taylor<\/p>\n The Pick: Aamil Wagner, OT, Notre Dame<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n