The Jets made David Bailey the No. 2 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft in April, becoming the highest-selected defensive player taken by the Green & White in franchise history.
There are great expectations all around the Jets’ defensive line and Bailey flashed his power, speed and smarts during the first week of training camp.
Bailey is also No. 2 in a list of 11 rookies who Dan Parr, senior editor of draft strategy at NFL.com, puts on his list of the top candidates to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Honors.
“As the first defensive player selected in this year’s draft, Bailey’s DROY chances are very strong,” he wrote. “Some might even say the strongest of anyone on this list.”
In his article, Parr points out that 5 of the last 7 DROY award winners were edge rushers, as recently as Micah Parsons. In addition, 38 of the last 45 award winners (84%) were top-10 picks; no DT has won since Aaron Donald in 2014; and no safety has won since Mark Carrier in 1990.