The New York Jets made Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey their top choice Thursday evening, selecting him with the second overall pick in the NFL Draft at their Florham Park, New Jersey headquarters.
Bailey brings much-needed defensive firepower to head coach Aaron Glenn’s squad, which struggled significantly on defense during the previous season and ranked among the league’s bottom performers.
This selection launches what promises to be an active opening phase for the franchise, as New York holds four picks within the first 44 selections. The organization also controls the 16th overall choice and opens Friday evening’s second round with the 33rd pick.
“I feel like this organization is trending in the right way,” Bailey said. “I’m just ready to work.”
The selection marks the highest defensive player chosen by the franchise since the NFL merger occurred in 1970.
While Las Vegas was widely expected to take quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the top selection, speculation focused heavily on New York’s intentions at the second spot. Recent weeks saw both Bailey and Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese frequently mentioned as potential targets for the organization, with the main question being which player they would ultimately choose rather than whether they might trade the selection.
General manager Darren Mougey opted to remain at the second position and selected Bailey, who faces expectations to strengthen a pass rush that finished 31st league-wide with just 26 quarterback takedowns. The crosstown Giants subsequently chose Reese fifth overall.
The 22-year-old dominated during his final college campaign at Texas Tech, sharing the national lead with 14.5 quarterback sacks. His impressive statistics also included ranking second nationally with 19.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, along with three forced fumbles and three pass breakups across 14 appearances, including 13 starting assignments.
Bailey’s arrival helps fill the void left by edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, whom the organization traded to Tennessee in February in exchange for defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat.
“That feeling, it’s like no other,” Bailey said of getting sacks. “It’s really what I be chasing. I have a lot of motivations for why I play the game. That’s one of them. That feeling when you get a sack and the crowd is on your side, especially during a home game — but regardless, home or away — it’s one of the best feelings. I take a lot of pride in that.”
Following three campaigns at Stanford, Bailey transferred to Texas Tech where he earned Associated Press All-America recognition, Big 12 defensive lineman of the year honors, the conference’s newcomer award, and became a Lombardi Award finalist for the nation’s top lineman.
The franchise canceled Bailey’s scheduled top-30 prospect visit last week, prompting some observers to question their continued interest. However, Mougey clarified during Tuesday’s pre-draft media session that the cancellation didn’t reflect reduced enthusiasm.
“In regards to David, we had good touch points with him at the combine, we went to his pro day, had a good dinner with him,” Mougey said. “We were just kind of juggling our 30 and how to use them and I wouldn’t look too much into a cancellation because there were other ones we may have changed, as well.”
Bailey will ultimately visit the team’s training facility after all, now as their premier draft selection.
“I had a great interaction with them at the combine,” Bailey said. “Obviously, they canceled the 30 visit, but other than that, man, I had a great FaceTime with Mougey and everybody.”
This represents only the fourth occasion in franchise history that the organization has held the second overall selection, and the first since choosing quarterback Zach Wilson in 2021. Running back Blair Thomas in 1990 and wide receiver Johnny “Lam” Jones in 1980 were the previous second overall picks.
