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The New York Jets selected edge rusher David Bailey with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday.
The Jets, who had last picked a defensive player in the first round in 2023, own another Round 1 selection this year at No. 16 (via the Indianapolis Colts).
After a three-year stint at Stanford, Bailey spent the 2025 season at Texas Tech, where he led all of college football in sacks (14.5) and pressure rate (21.3%) while adding 19.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles.
The 22-year-old will join a Jets defense that's in need of pass-rush help after finishing 31st in sacks last season. New York also allowed 36 touchdown passes without recording an interception.
Bailey's predraft profile
Bailey has a clear argument as the best pure pass-rusher in this draft. The Texas Tech standout is a nightmare to defend off the edge, often putting his opponent at an immediate disadvantage by the way he explodes off the ball. Bailey also pairs that dangerous first step with a fairly deep repertoire of rush moves. He can win by converting speed to power, bending around the edge, or quickly countering back inside, including with a lethal spin move. It's easy to see why he led the nation with 14.5 sacks in 2025.
Perhaps even more impressively, Bailey's 81 pressures were only two shy of Bain for the FBS lead despite recording 177 fewer pass-rush snaps, according to PFF. He will have to improve against the run to have any well-rounded impact on defense, as he struggles to consistently hold his ground in that phase. Getting after the quarterback is what gets you paid, though, and Bailey has a chance to do so at a Pro Bowl level.
