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-4Weight: 251 pounds40-Yard Dash: 4.50Vertical: 35 inchesBench: N/ABroad Jump: 10 feet, 9 inches2025 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.
The Jets had their choice between Arvell Reese and Bailey. In Bailey, they went with the more sure thing – 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 “no denying who the best player on the field was – No. 31 just flashed time and time again.”
Bailey joins a defensive line that includes free-agent signings Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare, along with former first-round pick Will McDonald.