With just one game left in what has been a historically bad season, a large portion of the New York Jets’ fan base has already shifted its focus to the 2026 NFL draft.
Thursday offered an early glimpse of what April could hold, as several projected headliners took the field during the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
While most of the Jets’ attention on New Year’s Day was understandably placed on the top three quarterback prospects, it was an edge rusher who made his presence known and established himself as a perfect fit for the green and white.
That player is Texas Tech’s David Bailey.
Why Bailey fits smoothly with the Jets
Against the Oregon Ducks at Hard Rock Stadium, Bailey made a statement despite the Red Raiders falling 23-0 in the Orange Bowl.
Oregon’s high-octane offense scored only six first-half points, struggling to find a rhythm until the Texas Tech offense gifted the Ducks with excellent field position in the second half. Bailey was the main reason that highly touted quarterback Dante Moore was unable to lead his team to offensive success.
Bailey finished with eight tackles, including five defensive stops. He constantly put Moore under duress, racking up one sack, three quarterback hits, and a hurry (five total pressures). All of this production occurred without Bailey missing a single tackle.
The California native was dominant in both phases, earning an 84.4 Pro Football Focus grade against the run and a 77.8 grade as a pass rusher. His 86.6 overall grade led all offensive and defensive players in the Orange Bowl.
It was nothing new for Bailey, whose astonishing 93.9 pass-rush grade in the 2025 season ranks first among 246 qualified FBS edge rushers, along with his 82 total pressures and 14.5 sacks. No player is within 10 pressures of Bailey.
Outside of a quarterback, a pass rusher of this caliber is arguably the Jets’ greatest need.
New York’s pass-rush has been nonexistent this season. Through 17 weeks, their 26 sacks rank 31st in the league, ahead of only the San Francisco 49ers (18).
Entering the offseason, defensive end is atop the list of New York’s many defensive needs. Their young duo of first-rounders failed to impress in 2025. Granted, it was his first year back from an Achilles tear, but Jermaine Johnson endured a rough season, while Will McDonald significantly underperformed.
In this year’s draft, the Jets hold two first-round picks: their own selection, currently sitting at No. 3 overall, and the Indianapolis Colts’, currently slotted at No. 18.
It is widely expected that the Jets will take a quarterback with their own first-round pick; however, with the Colts’ pick, New York could go in multiple directions.
If the Jets take their quarterback with their first pick, it opens the door to select the best player available with their second selection. That is where Bailey could come into the picture.
David Bailey draft profile
Known for his explosiveness, Bailey currently ranks No. 12 overall on Mock Draft Database’s consensus big board.
Standing at 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, the Red Raider owns elite athletic traits. Cracking Bruce Feldman’s 2025 “Freaks List”, Bailey bench-pressed 405 pounds and squatted 550, while possessing rare speed for a 250-pounder, having hit 22.16 mph.
Bailey has all the tools to succeed right away in the NFL, and even more promising, he has produced at an elite level throughout his college career. He differs from prospects such as 2025 first-round pick Shemar Stewart, who was drafted early primarily for his off-the-charts traits but lacked proven production.
If Bailey is still on the board when the Jets make their second first-round selection, he would be the perfect target for Gang Green.