The Jets selected Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Bailey is a consensus All-American known for his impressive athleticism and defensive stats.
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The Jets have selected Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Let's take a look at what Bailey brings to the Jets...
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 251 pounds
40-Yard Dash: 4.50
Vertical: 35 inches
Bench: N/A
Broad Jump: 10 feet, 9 inches
2025 Stats: 68 combined tackles, two interceptions, 1.0 sack, 5.0 tackles for loss, consensus All-American
NFL.com: His draft grade is slightly tempered by a lack of desired size/length, but the explosiveness and athletic talent is truly elite. His sack production should carry over to the NFL as an odd-front rush linebacker with Pro Bowl upside.
Bleacher Report: Bailey is an impressive athlete, who has a deep bag of pass-rush moves to be a significant contributor on third downs in the NFL.
It's no secret that the Jets need help rushing the passer. Last season, they had just 26.0 sacks, ranking 31st in the league and ahead of only the injury-riddled San Francisco 49ers. They also traded defensive end Jermaine Johnson, creating even more of a need.
Bailey is considered the best pure pass-rusher in the draft. After recording 7.5 sacks with Stanford in 2024, Bailey transferred to Texas Tech and broke out for 14.5 sacks along with 19.5 tackles for loss. His best trait is his burst off the line, as he brings a level of explosiveness that lets him bend around tackles with speed rush moves.
Bailey has work to do in terms of refining his pass-rush game and improving as a run-stopper, but from a pure "get-to-the-quarterback" perspective, Bailey is at the top of his class, and that's something the Jets need.
David Bailey stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 251 pounds, with a 40-yard dash time of 4.50 seconds and a vertical jump of 35 inches.
In the 2025 season, David Bailey recorded 68 combined tackles, two interceptions, one sack, and five tackles for loss.
David Bailey was selected as the No. 2 overall pick due to his standout performance as a consensus All-American and his potential impact as an edge rusher.
Arvell Reese, a standout linebacker from Ohio State, was selected by the New York Giants with the No. 5 overall pick in the NFL Draft. He was the first defender from Ohio State to be chosen this year.
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New York Giants make a surprising pick: LB Arvell Reese in the 2026 NFL draft.
New York Giants select linebacker Arvell Reese at No. 5 overall in the 2026 NFL draft.
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The Jets had their choice between Arvell Reese and Bailey. In Bailey, they went with the more sure thing ā a dynamic edge who was universally considered the best pass rusher in this class.
In 2025, Bailey was certainly dynamic. He had 19.5 tackles for a loss and 14.5 sacks to earn All-American honors. One source, who saw Bailey early in his Texas Tech career, told SNY there was āno denying who the best player on the field was ā No. 31 just flashed time and time again.ā
Bailey joins a defensive line that includes free-agent signings Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare, along with former first-round pick Will McDonald.
NFL.com: Nik Bonitto
Bleacher Report*:* Jaelan Phillips