TL;DR
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.
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...
By The Numbers
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
Prospect Overview
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.
Why Bailey makes sense for the Jets
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.