3 pass-rushing prospects exploding onto the Cowboys' radar after Week 2
With several young pass rushers already flashing on Saturdays, the upcoming class is shaping up to be an intriguing group of ballplayers for the Dallas Cowboys to keep a close eye on. The Cowboys will more than likely be looking to draft an EDGE early after trading Micah Parsons.
From explosive first steps to the kind of length and power that wreck game plans, the following prospects embody the traits teams crave in a core contributor on the defensive side of the ball.
2026 NFL Draft edge rushers to know for the Cowboys
Rueben Bain Jr, Miami
What a start to the year it's been for Bain, who's amassed five pressures and two sacks in his first two starts this fall.
Miami has always been one of the country's most fruitful NFL pipelines, but Bain's type of talent at edge hasn't been seen around the South Beach area in some time. Really, since 2020 when both Jaelan Phillips and Greg Rousseau roamed the edge and eventually became first-round picks that following April.
In Dallas, Bain would complement the likes of Donovan Ezeiruaku extremely well. While the former Boston College product in Ezeiruaku is built in the more of the hybrid, uber-athletic, speed-off-the-edge type of frame, Bain is a powerfully built athlete with the blend of both that can beat tackles in a variety of ways.
David Bailey, Texas Tech
A transfer to Lubbock from Stanford, Bailey is the modern day, pin your ears back type of pass rusher at 248 pounds.
Although many teams, in this case Dallas, will look to add a three-down contributor, Bailey has the type of pass rush pedigree that is worthy of night one capital. Through two games thus far in his senior season, Bailey has totaled 10 pressures, 8 hurries, and a sack.
What makes Bailey particularly appealing for Dallas is that he is not a one-dimensional pass rusher. While his burst and bend show up on tape, he also plays the run with discipline, anchoring at the point of attack and shedding blocks to make plays in the backfield. That balance is critical for a defense now without Micah Parsons to impact both phases of the game.
Bailey can slide across the line in certain looks, attack inside on stunts, and operate as more than just a wide-nine edge, which fits the Cowboys’ preference for multiplicity in their fronts.
Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon
He’s still refining his game, but the foundation is clear: a rare blend of size, explosiveness, and raw strength that makes him difficult to account for on every snap.
With a frame built to withstand NFL trench battles and the athletic fluidity of a player much lighter, Uiagalelei has the physical tools to grow into a defensive centerpiece.
For Dallas, what stands out most about Uiagalelei is his ability to overwhelm tackles with his power while also flashing the quickness to win around the edge. He is comfortable reducing inside on certain fronts, which would allow the Cowboys to maintain the multiple looks they’ve leaned on in recent years even with different defensive coordinators.
Even as a younger, ascending player, his run defense shows promise -- he plays with heavy hands, extends to control gaps, and rarely looks out of place holding the edge. That ability to stay on the field for every down is invaluable when projecting him as a potential building block.
While he may not yet have the polish or sheer dominance some of the other names in this article, Uiagalelei offers Dallas something nearly as important: upside.
He’s the type of defender who could grow into a true force with NFL coaching, anchoring the front seven for years to come. In a defense hungry for a new alpha presence, his combination of traits, versatility, and untapped potential could make him a long-term piece for HC Brian Schottenheimer.
Bears' Ben Johnson opens up about Caleb Williams' miscues vs. Vikings
Second-year quarterback Caleb Williams played like a work in progress under first-year head coach Ben Johnson as the Chicago Bears suffered a 27-24 loss to the rival Minnesota Vikings on Monday night.
During his media availability on Tuesday, Johnson spoke honestly about Williams' performance in the defeat.
Ben Johnson makes a big admission about Caleb Williams' play
"It was up and down," Johnson said about Williams' play against Minnesota. "We had mixed results. There were some things he did that were top-notch, and I would put him up there with some of the best in the NFL. He had a couple throws with guys in his face that he delivered on target that were very tough. ...And yet there were still some that we would like to have back. There were probably three or four of them that we counted on tape, at a minimum, that we would want back."
Specifically, ESPN's Courtney Cronin noted that Williams missed a wide-open D.J. Moore on a 4th-and-3 play at Minnesota's 24-yard line midway through the second quarter. Andy Nesbitt of Sports Illustrated pointed out that Williams later overthrew a ball intended for an open Moore when Chicago should've scored a touchdown with roughly 2:30 remaining in regulation.
According to Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic, Williams completed 13-of-16 passes in the game's opening half. However, the 23-year-old then connected on just eight of his final 19 pass attempts of the contest.
"We chatted for a while, and he’s very self-reflective on it and critical of himself," Johnson said about a conversation he had with Williams after reviewing the game film. "It’s a starting point for us, so we’ll look to get better next week."
Of course, Williams isn't responsible for the fact that Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy tallied two touchdown passes and a 14-yard rushing score in the fourth quarter of Chicago's collapse. Nevertheless, Johnson suggested everybody involved will need to be better when the Bears play at the 0-1 Detroit Lions this coming Sunday.
What wasn't an issue for the Chicago Bears against the Minnesota Vikings?
"Some good football on tape, but too much inconsistent football that popped up," Johnson added during his comments. "Effort wasn’t an issue. Those guys did a good job playing hard and competed the whole night, but the execution has got to improve, particularly there in the fourth quarter."
