(Imagn Images/Envato Elements/SNY Treated Image)1 / 2Jets select EDGE David Bailey with No. 2 pick in 2026 NFL Draft1 / 2Jets select EDGE David Bailey with No. 2 pick in 2026 NFL Draft2 / 2Jets select EDGE David Bailey with No. 2 pick in 2026 NFL Draft (Imagn Images/Envato Elements/SNY Treated Image)Alex SmithFri, April 24, 2026 at 12:16 AM UTC·1 min readThe Jets have added to their defensive front in a big way, selecting Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

At 6-foot-4, 251 pounds, Bailey was widely considered the best pure pass-rusher coming off the edge in this draft. While he still has room to grow when it comes to stopping the run, Bailey can simply get after the quarterback, as evidenced by his 14.5 sacks with the Red Raiders last season.

Using his explosiveness, bend, and athleticism to get around tackles and tight ends, Bailey's ability to get to the quarterback should translate to the next level, giving the Jets some more firepower off the edge. The Jets traded Jermaine Johnson earlier this offseason, so Bailey should see plenty of playing time as a rookie.

Bailey becomes the latest addition for the Jets among their defensive front seven, joining trade acquisition T'Vondre Sweat and free agent signings Joseph Ossai, David Onyemata, Demario Davis and Kingsley Enagbare.

After quarterback Fernando Mendoza went No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, as expected, the Jets had their pick of any player in the draft, and they clearly view Bailey as a game-changer on defense.