Jets draft pick David Bailey explains 'trusting the process' after canceled Top 30 visit

The Jets canceled their Top 30 visit with David Bailey last week, but they still selected the edge rusher from Texas Tech with the 2026 NFL Draft's No. 2 overall pick Thursday in Pittsburgh.

"I didn't know if it was an unusual thing to do, but I was still confident in the interactions that I had with them at the combine," he said via Zoom. "Also, we had a dinner back in Lubbock after my pro day. So, I still felt good with the prior conversations and I know they -- for whatever reason -- had their reasons for doing it. So, I was just trusting my agent -- trusting the process."

The 6-foot-4, 251-pounder embraces joining "an elite defense" in New York.

"I know it's an elite defense, and I know that they have a couple different positions -- especially on the edge -- that they can put me at," Bailey said. "Obviously, because of the 30 visit, I didn't really get to see the install. Throughout 30 visits, they'll oftentimes throw install just to give you a sample of the position that you'll be playing. So, I didn't really get to see that. But I'm confident in what they'll utilize me in."

Aaron Glenn is a defensive-minded head coach, and Bailey looks forward to learning from him.

"Limited interaction -- I think I met with him once or twice -- but I'm excited to get under his defensive scheme and just work hard and play hard as I can," Bailey said.

As a top high school football recruit in the 2022 class, Bailey signed with Stanford and spent two seasons with the Cardinal before transferring to the Red Raiders for the 2025 season.

"It helped me a lot, man, especially -- I can speak to a mental standpoint, I matured a lot," Bailey said of his past year at Texas Tech where he totaled 47 tackles (18 for loss) 13.5 sacks and two forced fumbles with one recovery.

"And then, obviously, physical standpoint, man, I obviously got a little bit stronger, a little bit faster ... but more importantly was the mental aspect. I was a lot more mature in my approach to how I took care of my body and how I approached football as a whole."