Jets Draft DE David Bailey At No. 2

It was known for months the Raiders would use the No. 1 overall pick on Fernando Mendoza, making the Jets’ top choice the first real source of intrigue in this draft. Reports over the past few weeks went back and forth on Bailey and Ohio State linebacker/edge defender Arvell Reese as the frontrunners to join the Jets. Reese was reportedly the favorite as of Wednesday, but the Jets have taken the more polished prospect instead.

The Jets canceled a “30” visit with Bailey last week, but it turns out they did not need to use it. Led by general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn, the Jets knew “weeks” ago they would draft Bailey, according to insider Jordan Schultz. Bailey will now serve as a centerpiece of Glenn’s defense and give the team another pass rusher to join a group that includes former first-rounder Will McDonald, Kingsley Enagbare and Joseph Ossai.

He follows Enagbare, Ossai, Demario Davis, T’Vondre Sweat, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Nahshon Wright as the latest offseason pickup for the Jets’ remade defense. Bailey is undoubtedly the biggest addition to a unit that finished 31st in both scoring and sacks last year.

The 6-foot-3, 254-pound Bailey began his college career at Stanford, where he racked up 14.5 sacks in 32 games from 2022-24. He transferred to Texas Tech last year and experienced a massive uptick in sack production. Bailey amassed a nation-high 14.5 (along with 19.5 tackles for loss) in 14 games to earn unanimous All-America honors and the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year Award. He also recorded 81 pressures, the second-highest mark in the nation, per Pro Football Focus. The Jets are banking on Bailey continuing to serve as a disruptive force in the pros.

New York has settled the Bailey-Reese debate, but its first-round work is far from done. The Jets are scheduled to pick again at 16th overall. Unless the Jets trade down, the rebuilding club will address another key need midway through the opening round.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.