The 2026 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the David Bailey NFL Draft Profile.
Position: Edge Rusher
School: Texas Tech
Size: 6-foot-3, 250 pounds
Class: Senior
2025 stats: 52 total tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, 3 passes defended, 1 fumble recovery, 3 forced fumbles
Bailey was a four-star recruit in the class of 2022 who stayed in-state to play for Stanford. He saw some playing time early in his career, registering 8.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks as a freshman. Bailey had more sacks in 2023, finishing the year six tackles for loss and five sacks. During the 2024 season, Bailey totaled eight tackles for loss and seven sacks. Following the season, he transferred to Texas Tech. With the Red Raiders, Bailey had 19.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks as he helped Texas Tech make the CFP.
Following the 2025 season, Bailey declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. He is currently projected to be a first round pick.
His quick first step is worth noting. Bailey can time up the snap pretty well and then his acceleration shines. He is able to get a head start on offensive tackles and threaten the edge because of his ability to get a good jump at the snap. Bailey can turn his acceleration into speed, playing right into his strengths as a speed rusher.
Bailey moves well for an edge rusher, as one of the more athletic players at the position in the draft. He has good acceleration at the snap and has good speed to threaten the edges of tackles. Bailey has the agility to change direction to help him avoid blocks and the agility to bend around the edge. He wins a lot of matchups because of his ability to move in a way that offensive tackles can’t.
He is a great pass rusher and is able to finish plays on the quarterback with a sack, registering 14.5 in 2025. Bailey can bend around the edge routinely, but also has some good pass rush moves. He has demonstrated a ghost move, spin move, Dip move, swipe and long arm during his college career. There are times when he can convert speed to power as well, although that is more inconsistent.
Bailey doesn’t fit the prototypical pass rush mold. He stands at 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, which is a little below average. Bailey also doesn’t look like he has elite length, which will make it harder to shed. He will need to add play strength and fill out his frame a bit more if he can to help him shed and make more plays on the ball.
His run defense is lacking and he needs to develop it if he wants to stay on the field for all three downs. He can struggle to shed due to his lack of play strength. Bailey doesn’t anchor well and fails to set the edge at times. He can struggle to make the right plays against read options and can also get through traffic better in pursuit.
There are times when Bailey tries to avoid blocks altogether rather than take them on. He will try to go around blocks, which sometimes helps him make plays, but other times costs his defense. If he adds strength and takes on blocks more routinely, he will be a better team defender at the next level.
Projected Draft Range: First Round Pick
Draft Grade: First Round Pick
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