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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 25: David Bailey of the Texas Tech Red Raiders (now of the New York Jets) speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

With the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the New York Jets have selected Texas Tech ED Davis Bailey. The No. 7 overall player on Arif Hasan’s media consensus big board, Bailey is widely considered the best “pure” pass rusher available in the draft.

A transfer from Stanford, Bailey totaled 111 tackles, 15 sacks, and seven forced fumbles in three seasons with the Cardinal. In one season with the Red Raiders, he had a monster breakout season, with 52 tackles, 15 sacks, three forced fumbles, and two passes defensed, earning consensus first-team All-Big 12 and first-team All-American recognition after the season.

What are the New York Jets Getting in ED David Bailey?

GettyTEMPE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 18: David Bailey #31 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders (now of the New York Jets) in action during the NCAAF game at Mountain America Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Red Raiders 26-22. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

As far as putting the quarterback on the ground goes, few do it as well as Bailey. Measuring 6-3 and a half, 251 pounds, he ran a 4.50-second 40-yard dash at the Combine, adding a 35-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-nine-inch broad jump.

The Jets are getting arguably the draft’s best pure pass rusher. Bailey can bend the corner as well as anyone and is an absolute load to deal with in the trenches. Jets HC Aaron Glenn’s scheme relies on quality pass rushers to win one-on-one, and Bailey does that exceptionally well.

In my final position rankings series for NFL Trade Rumors, I had this to say on Bailey’s scouting report:

“Bailey fires off the snap so quickly it sometimes looks like he left early,” I wrote. “He’s an athletic specimen, making Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List, with incredible strength at his size that shocks blockers on contact. A violent pass rusher, Bailey has so many moves he uses to go after the quarterback, using his quick first step and powerful hands to win one-on-one. If he’s stymied initially, he’ll pivot to his deep bag of counters, always probing for an avenue to get by his man.”

“Bailey’s explosive quickness is worth mentioning again. He can stop and start on a dime, adding extra layers to his pass rush moves other players simply can’t match. As a run defender, Bailey holds his own at the point of attack and maintains the edge well enough, pursuing to make big tackles for a loss. He can even drop into coverage with far more effectiveness than most edge rushers, though he’s still best deployed as a pass rusher.”

What Does the David Bailey Pick Mean for the Jets at No. 16?

Now that the Jets have their defensive cornerstone in place with Bailey, perhaps they will turn their attention to the offense at No. 16 — if they stay and pick there. Rumors are swirling that the Jets will be aggressive to move up or down the board, depending on how the draft shakes out after pick No. 2.

New York is most commonly connected to a wide receiver at No. 16, however. Prospects such as Washington’s Denzel Boston, USC’s Makai Lemon, Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr., or Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion could all be on the board for the Jets.