What comes first: the chicken or the egg?

In the NFL, the New York Jets’ defensive struggles can be broken down to that very question. What caused the unit’s demise in 2025: a maligned defensive line, or a broken secondary?

New York answered that question early in the 2026 NFL draft. Gang Green drafted pass-rushing star David Bailey with the second overall pick to help their defensive line.

“Pure joy,” Bailey told reporters immediately following the selection.

The connection between Bailey and the Jets was a perceived late swing in the pre-draft process. Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese was considered the favorite for the pick coming into draft night, and for most of the process.

Instead, though, New York went with the player that they felt could immediately change one of their biggest needs.

Reese’s impact on 2026 Jets

What you see in Bailey is what you get. The Texas Tech star enjoyed a breakout campaign in Lubbock by leading all of college football in sacks (14.5) and tackles for loss (19.5).

To the 22-year-old, the reason for his success is the same reason the Jets chose to bring him.

Speed.

“It’s just having a great get-off,” Bailey said. “The first thing that jumps from my game is that I’m explosive. I’m a versatile player, too. I played in different schemes during my collegiate career.”

That versatility is something the Jets will covet this year. Head coach Aaron Glenn is calling plays in a make-or-break year for the second-year coach. Glenn would love to move a player of Bailey’s caliber around the line to take advantage of offensive lines around the league.

“You hear it a lot. We will have multiple defenses. There will be elements of 4-3 and elements of 3-4. The way I look at it, you’re going to be in nickel 70 percent of the time,” Glenn said during the pre-draft process. “You’ll see some four down front and five down front. I don’t want to sit here and say exactly who we’re going to be because we’re going to be a little bit of everything.”

Glenn also emphasized bringing in the top player on their board. To the Jets, an edge rusher with the kind of speed that Bailey brings was too strong to pass up.

The elephant in the room

Things weren’t always a guarantee between the Jets and Bailey. New York cancelled their top-30 visit with the edge rusher before the 2026 draft, confusing the player leading up to the draft.

But at the end, the Jets focused more on their need for sacks and pressures than anything else.

However, despite being a dominant edge rusher in college, there is a concern about his game: run defense. While his statistics were strong, the tape showed the California native struggling to set the edge or be a physical presence when teams tried to run on his side at Texas Tech.

That’s something Bailey knows needs improvement, but he also doesn’t think it’s as big an issue as perceived.

“I can always improve,” Bailey said. “I do feel I can play the run at a high level. There are clips where you can certainly question it, but then there are clips that show on tape that say ‘Yeah, you can play the run.'”

Through it all, Bailey has confidence that no matter what plan the Jets have for him, he will be used the right way.

“I feel confident they’ll put me in the best position to succeed,” he said. “Whether that means staying on the edge, dropping back, or whatever. I have confidence in my ability.”

Bailey’s journey to the NFL starts in New York. He has become the highest drafted defensive player in Jets history, a massive moniker for the young pass rusher.

But if he can come in and immediately be a sack machine like the team expects, things will be much different for the Jets’ defense. For if a team has a good pass rush, the rest of the unit should be much better.

It’s a true egg before the chicken mindset.