New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey gave his thoughts on the team’s controversial decision to cancel their top 30 visit with David Bailey.
Now, the Texas Tech product has provided his thoughts.
Speaking to the media on the eve of the 2026 NFL draft, Bailey spoke positively of the Jets despite their choice to cancel his visit.
“[My interactions with the Jets have] been good, man. … They canceled my 30 visit, so I wasn’t able to get around the facility, and kind of have like an in-depth conversation with all the staff and everything, but I had a great interaction with them at the combine, and then obviously FaceTime calls we’ve been having.”
Bailey also expressed his confidence that he would be a fit in the Jets’ defensive scheme, despite concerns about his compatibility with New York’s vision in comparison to Ohio State’s Arvell Reese.
“I think I’d fit in great. I think it’d be a great scheme for me. I’d be open to learning whatever position they need me to play. I think I bring a versatile skill set, so I’m just open to anything.”
Bailey and Reese are in a neck-and-neck race for the second overall pick. Reese seems to remain the favorite, but his lead has dwindled. Over the past week, Reese has been pegged to the Jets in just 52% of mock drafts, according to NFL Mock Draft Database, with Bailey comprising most of the remaining predictions.
Jets X-Factor has New York selecting Reese in its final predictive mock draft, but the Jets themselves have done an excellent job of limiting any sort of leaks on their intentions. On Tuesday, ESPN reporter Peter Schrager admitted that “there is nobody talking out of the Jets’ building.”
That’s music to Jets fans’ ears. But will the same description apply to their No. 2 overall selection on Thursday night?
It all depends on where each fan stands in the heated Bailey-versus-Reese debate. Both players have their share of passionate defenders, but all that matters is the opinion of the Jets themselves, and they will reveal their definitive stance in less than 36 hours.
