Jets Draft Bailey: Edge Rusher's Upside

0:00It's April 24th. This is NFL News Today, AI-powered stories shaping the season. The New York Jets kicked off the 2026 NFL draft by grabbing Texas Tech-Ed Russia David Bailey at number 2 overall. Las Vegas Raiders snanked Fernando Mendoza first so that top question got answered quick. Bailey dominated college ball last year, leading the FPS with 14.5 sacks and a 21.3% pressure rate. He racked up 81 total pressures and 19.5 tackles for loss, earning unanimous all-American honors, first team all big 12. And defensive lineman of the year in the big 12. Doos got their raw upside teams' cray for pass rush. Bailey's got deep roots too. Came out of Mater Day High in Santa Ana, California, where he teamed up with Bryce Young, now the Panthers' QB. That's School's a factory, only high school with three Highsman winning QBs. Fans are buzzing about his pedigree hitting the pros.

1:00Before Texas Tech, he balled at Stanford, grabbed his bachelors in science, technology, and society in 2024, then transferred as a grad. Student and blew up. Predraft had some smoke cancel top 30 visit, forgot the Jess GM's name, limited chats, but New York locked him in anyway. Bailey stayed low key, dodging mock drafts entirely, which kept his stock clean. Now he's heading to the big apple, where he'll need pointers on that NYC pizza game. But with his edge, the Jets defense just got lethal. Watch this kid eat quarterbacks alive.