Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey is rising fast in 2026 NFL Draft talk after a dominant 14.5-sack season and strong support for the Jets at No. 2.
Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey is gaining real momentum as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, and the conversation is no longer just about whether he’ll be a top-10 pick.
It’s becoming about how high he could actually go.
After a dominant 2025 season in Lubbock, Bailey has emerged as one of the premier pass rushers in this draft class, and at least one prominent NFL voice believes he belongs near the very top of the board.
That voice is NFL analyst Brian Baldinger, who made a strong case for Bailey as the ideal selection for the New York Jets at No. 2 overall.
“The best choice is David Bailey. If you go by how I like to build a team, you get the quarterback first, then you go get the guy who could get after the quarterback, and the Jets need that guy. Regardless of how Aaron Glen's defense is going to look, they need edge rushers, and I believe David Bailey is the best edge rusher in this draft. He's got the best first step, he went up against the best competition this year, and he showed that he is the guy for the job right here. I think the Jets can start to rebuild this team and this defense with David Bailey coming off the edge right now.
"I feel like David Bailey would be a great choice at number two. You could flip a lot of these guys up. The Jets have a lot of needs, but I believe we should build that defensive front first, and we'll get to the rest of where they need help second.”
It’s easy to see why Bailey is climbing. The 6-4, 251-pound pass rusher terrorized offenses in 2025, tying the FBS lead with 14.5 sacks while adding 19.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles in 14 games.
He also earned First-Team AP All-American honors, Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year, and Big 12 Newcomer of the Year.
Bailey’s explosiveness, bend, and closing speed give him real Pro Bowl upside. If Baldinger is right, Texas Tech may soon have a top-two draft pick to celebrate.
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