The top of the 2026 NFL Draft class is loaded with defensive talent, including a deep defensive line class. Texas Tech edge David Bailey is regarded as one of the top prospects of the entire 2026 class, backed by impressive production and eye-popping athleticism.
Texas Tech isn’t known as a football powerhouse, meaning Bailey could have flown under your radar in the 2025 college football season. The Playbook has you covered with an in-depth David Bailey 2026 NFL Draft profile.
Below, we’ll look at Bailey’s combine results, stats, NFL comparisons, and strengths and weaknesses. And finally, where could the elite edge rusher land in the first round on Thursday, April 23?
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2026 NFL Draft Profile: David Bailey Combine Results
Height: 6'3 5/8"
Weight: 251 pounds
Arm Length: 33 3/4"
Hand Span: 10 1/4"
40-Yard Dash: 4.5
10-Yard Split: 1.62
Vertical Jump: 35”
Broad Jump: 10’9”
There are slight concerns about Bailey’s height at the next level, but his length eases some of those worries. Plus, the Texas Tech product turned in a fantastic NFL Combine, proving his athleticism should be at the forefront, not being “too short.”
In fact, his 4.50-second 40-yard dash finished second for edge rushers, behind Ohio State edge Arvell Reese’s 4.46 mark. Bailey’s 10’9” broad jump also finished third among all 2026 defensive end prospects.
This earned the 2025 All-American a 9.66 relative athleticism score (RAS), which ranks 78th out of 2,257 defensive ends evaluated since 1987 (97th percentile).
David Bailey Stats at Texas Tech (2025)
David Bailey Pass-Rushing Stats (2025): 14.5 sacks, 81 pressures
2025 Tackles: 52
2025 Solo Tackles: 32
2025 Tackles For Loss: 19.5
2025 Forced Fumbles: 3
Alongside impressive athleticism, NFL.com awarded Bailey with a 98 production score that leads all edge prospects. His 14.5 sacks topped college football, and Pro Football Focus awarded Bailey with 81 pressures, which trailed only Miami (FL) edge Rueben Bain Jr. with 83 pressures. Bain played in 16 games compared to Bailey’s 14.
Furthermore, PFF gave the former Red Raider a 94.3 pass rush grade — the third-highest mark since 2014. That company includes Browns edge Myles Garrett and Broncos edge Nik Bonitto, who are among football’s best defensive players.
Bailey boasts the most trustworthy pass-rushing production of the 2026 class.
David Bailey NFL Comparisons
David Bailey’s Best NFL Comparison:
- Nik Bonitto
- Dee Ford
- Chop Robinson
We should always have levels for a prospect’s NFL comparisons. At his ceiling, Bailey could develop into one of the league’s best edge rushers on the level of Nik Bonitto.
Similar to Bonitto, Bailey comes into the NFL with height concerns and questions about his ability to produce against the run. However, his twitchy athleticism and pure speed still create intriguing potential.
Bonitto is 6’3” and 240 pounds, nearly on par with Bailey at 6'3 5/8" and 251 pounds. Plus, the All-Pro Broncos edge posted a 4.54 40-yard dash, a hair behind the Texas Tech product’s 4.50 time. As a prospect, Bailey is held in higher regard with longer arms and better collegiate production compared to Bonitto.
Dee Ford is another rusher that comes to mind. Again, Ford is “short” at 6’2” and 252 pounds but has good length with 33” arms. Plus, he had a 4.53 40-yard dash ahead of the 2014 NFL Draft.
If Bailey struggles to defend the run, Ford could be his best comp. Ford built a reputation as a pass rush specialist with 10.0 sacks in 2016 and 13.0 sacks in 2018, but his inability against the run kept him off the field for all three downs.
Finally, the verdict is still out on Chop Robinson, who was a first-round pick by the Dolphins in the 2024 NFL Draft. He’s 6’3” and 254 pounds and posted an absurd 4.48 40-yard dash. Robinson logged rush defense grades of 55.4 and 59.0 in his first two seasons and displayed pass-rushing upside with 56 pressures in 2024, via PFF.
In short, Bailey draws comparisons to technically sound edge rushers with impressive speed, though their height and strength make them a question mark against the run.
David Bailey Scouting Report: Strengths and Weaknesses
David Bailey Strengths
- Terrific speed and explosiveness on his first step
- Technically sound rusher with a bevy of finesse moves
- Exceptional length helps his short stature
- Impressive mobility with a quick change of direction
- Never-ending motor with strong pursuit
David Bailey Weaknesses
- Size may make him a liability against the run
- Strength concerns for the physicality of the NFL
- Slow to diagnose misdirection at times
Bailey’s draft profile will always be led by his elite pass-rushing ability. His first-step quickness makes him a tricky block, as most offensive tackles struggle to get in front of Bailey.
Simply put, he’s slippery. His quickness is enough to win; pair this with Bailey’s sudden change of direction, and you’re cooking with gas.
When tackles get their hands on Bailey, he can struggle to break loose with strength concerns and inconsistent countermoves. However, his elite speed, change of direction, and finesse moves win the day more often than not. Plus, he has a knack for getting his hand on the ball with 3 strip-sacks in 2025.
Furthermore, the potential top three pick has an impressive motor with constant pursuit of ball carriers. The concerns in the run game are not from a lack of effort; instead, it’s about his strength and frame.
Bailey has a rather lean lower body, harming his ability to anchor and maintain an edge. Opposing teams can run at Bailey and consistently win, and that becomes more of a concern with the NFL’s level of physicality.
When he properly diagnoses a play, Bailey can still get in the backfield in a hurry, creating chaos with tackles for loss. But once again, making plays in the run game usually relies on his speed and finesse.
His burst off the line of scrimmage and pure speed create an elite edge-rushing prospect. Will Bailey’s strength be enough to become one of the league’s best edge rushers?
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David Bailey NFL Draft Prediction and Best Fit
Arizona Cardinals – Round 1, Pick 3
Following Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza likely being selected No. 1 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders, edge rushers are expected to fall in the second and third slots. This is a battle between Arvell Reese and David Bailey. Who will the Jets side with at No. 2 overall on Thursday night?
According to PrizePicks Team Picks, Reese has a 1.58x payout for “Yes” to be the No. 2 overall pick, followed by Bailey with a 2.22x payout. This leads to Bailey holding a 2.32x payout to be the No. 3 overall pick, while Reese sports a 4x payout for this draft slot.
Here’s a look at the payouts for which team will draft David Bailey on PrizePicks Team Picks.
- New York Jets: Yes 2.43x | No 1.4x
- Arizona Cardinals: Yes 3.44x | No 1.25x
- Tennessee Titans: Yes 5.88x | No 1.08x
- Kansas City Chiefs: Yes 5.88x | No 1.09x
- Dallas Cowboys: Yes 8.33x | No 1.03x
- New Orleans Saints: Yes 10x | No 1.03x
Team Picks data is live as of writing and is subject to change.
While the Jets are the favorite right now, general manager Darren Mougey reported the franchise canceled Bailey’s top-30 visit. That’s probably not a great sign.
If Bailey is available at the third pick, the Cardinals could certainly use a pass rush boost after finishing 29th in PFF’s pass rush grade while ranking 28th in sack rate last season. After Arizona edge Josh Sweat logged 12.0 sacks in 2025, the Cards could build a formidable one-two punch with the addition of Bailey to the pass rush.
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Make 2026 NFL Draft Predictions on PrizePicks
Thanks to elite pass-rushing productivity and measurables, Bailey seems headed for a top-three selection in the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 23. Will Bailey be the first defensive player off the board, surpassing Reese?
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