Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey: 2026 NFL Draft profile, latest mock predictions originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

David Bailey is on the verge of making history for the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Thursday. The program has only one player to go in the top 10 over the course of the Super Bowl era (2023, No. 7 overall DE Tyree Wilson). Bailey is projected to be the first top-five pick since Dave Parks went No. 1 overall in the 1964 NFL Draft to the San Francisco 49ers.

The first-team Associated Press All-American started in all 13 games and was named Big 12 Conference DL of the Year. Bailey was also a finalist for the Lombardi Award (nation's top lineman). He tied for the FBS lead with 14.5 sacks, ranked second with 19.5 TFL. (3 PBUs, 3 FFs).

Here’s a look at the latest NFL Draft projections and profile for Bailey.

"Bailey is extremely hard for linemen to stay in front of. He moves like a slashing two guard, blending explosiveness and fluidity to slip, bend and flow around blocks from multiple angles. His leverage and lower-body flexion create game-over scenarios once he reaches pocket depth with even a minor lead. He can be stalled when a blocker latches his hands in deep, but Bailey’s elusiveness and suddenness make clean clamps a relative rarity. He’s instinctive with natural mid-rush counters, but he must continue developing hand usage and crafting rush plans for when protection shifts his way.

"Teams can run at Bailey due to his lack of anchor and take-on presence, but his work-around quickness will also lead to tackles for loss. 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."

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