The New York Jets held their second practice of the new season on Thursday. Everyone in attendance said the same thing: David Bailey was unstoppable.
It wasn’t only the media in attendance saying this, either. He’s already impressed his teammates and, most importantly, his head coach.
“He’s a pain in the ass,” said Jets center Joe Tippmann.
Head coach Aaron Glenn said that Bailey has been “everything that we expect him to be.”
Yes, Bailey has impressed so far. Of course, though, the Jets are three practices into training camp after Saturday’s session, and they’re still in shorts.
This caveat will understandably loom over any of the success Bailey has on the practice field. While it is valid, Jets fans shouldn’t be too quick to dismiss his performance. After all, Bailey’s resume makes you wonder why there was a debate about the second overall pick at all.
David Bailey was one of the best edge prospects of the 2020s
After a productive career at Stanford, David Bailey took it to the next level at Texas Tech. Over 14 games in 2025, he racked up:
- Pressures: 83 (1st)
- Pressure Rate: 21.3% (1st)
- Sacks: 14.5 (1st)
- Defensive Stops: 40 (5th)
- PFF Overall Grade: 93.3 (1st)
- PFF Pass Rush Grade: 93.8 (1st)
- PFF Run Defense Grade: 81.5 (20th)
Ranks among 252 Division I defensive ends with at least 400 defensive snaps
The numbers jump off the screen. Bailey was clearly the most dominant and efficient defensive end in college football in 2025. But why limit his comparisons to just 2025?
I decided to stack Bailey’s production against the single-season performances of every Division I defensive end since 2020. The results were as shocking as they were exciting.
Among 585 defensive end seasons from 2020-25 with 500 defensive snaps, Bailey’s 2025 campaign stands out as arguably the best, ranking second in pressures per game, third in pressure rate, fourth in PFF’s pass-rush grade, seventh in PFF’s overall grade, and 10th in sacks per game.
He backs up that production with elite measurables. He has nearly identical size, length, and athletic traits to first-rounders-turned-stars Will Anderson and Jared Verse.
Bailey has the production, the athleticism, and the technique to be the Jets’ best edge since John Abraham, if not better.
Don’t forget, he’s the highest-drafted defensive player in Jets history, and every aspect of his resume backs it up.
Time will tell, but Bailey has superstar potential
David Bailey’s college career offers plenty of reasons for Jets fans to be excited. His play even garnered praise from Packers superstar Micah Parsons, who had him as his No. 2 prospect in the draft. But until he dominates on Sundays, it’s all just projection.
There is still plenty to be excited about, though. From the early returns, his burst and speed are already translating to success on the practice field. Most importantly, he’s showing much better run defense, awareness, and overall fundamentals than many expected.
His play strength is especially impressive. There have been multiple reports of Bailey throwing tight ends to the ground, as well as a play where he split Armand Membou and Breece Hall for a sack.
After a rough Thursday, the Jets’ young tackle duo, Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou, were ready for the next round on Saturday. It’s a battle that improves everyone; Bailey called New York’s second-year right tackle “extremely strong, like ridiculously strong.”
While practice makes perfect, we’ll finally get to see the Bailey and the Jets’ 2026 draft class in live-game action in just 13 days, when the second overall pick will get to test his mettle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in New York’s preseason opener.
