The New York Jets started their 2026 NFL Draft journey with David Bailey.
The Texas Tech edge defender was selected by the Jets with the No. 2 overall pick, unofficially starting the 2026 draft. It was known Fernando Mendoza was going to be the No. 1 pick to the Las Vegas Raiders. The first quesiton was answered with Bailey heading to New York.
Considering the upside and draft stock with Bailey, you’ll want to get to know him now.
Here are seven things to know about Bailey:
Decorated player in college
The Jets landed the player that led the FBS in sacks (14.5) and pressure rate (21.3 percent) while he finished second in total pressures (81) and tackles for loss (19.5) in 2025. That earned Bailey unanimous All-American, first-team All-Big 12 and the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year.
Played with starting NFL QB in high school
Prior to heading to Texas Tech, Bailey was recruited out of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, CA. The school has a football program with a history of NFL products and is the only high school in the country to have produced three Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks.
One of the other most recent success stories is Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young. The two were teammates there.
Pre-draft grey area
Bailey will be playing in New York. That became clear on Thursday.
Prior to the pick, things were up in the air.
During a pre-draft event, Bailey discussed head coach Aaron Glenn and how the Jets would use him. That conversation also involved Bailey not remembering general manager Darren Mougey’s name.
On top of that, the Jets canceled Bailey’s top-30 visit before the draft. A curious choice, especially since Bailey admitted he had “limited interaction” with the Jets as well.
But evidently none of these things mattered.
Played elsewhere in college
While drafted out of Texas Tech, he was playing there as a graduate student in 2025. That choice clearly worked out for Bailey as he was the No. 2 pick.
Prior to that, Bailey played at Stanford… and graduated. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Stanford in science, technology and society in 2024.
Stayed away from pre-draft rumors
Bailey is a prospect that kept quiet during the pre-draft lead up. That probably helped his stock. According to Bailey, he even stayed away from looking at any mock drafts:
NYC pizza eating needs helps
After being drafted by the Jets, he was asked about… pizza.
And Bailey will need some help in New York.
Highest-ever Jets pick…
The Jets have selected at No. 2 overall in the past… but pulled off a franchise first with Bailey. He became the highest-ever defender the team has ever selected in history.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: 7 things to know about Jets’ No. 2 pick David Bailey
Reporting by Nick Wojton, USA TODAY / Jets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
