2026 NFL Scouting Report: David Bailey

David Bailey, 6-3/250
Defensive End
Texas Tech

David Bailey Scouting Report

By Charlie Campbell

Strengths:

Instinctive, natural quarterback hunter off the edge
Fast
Explodes off the ball
Elite first step quickness and get off
Devastating speed to blow by offensive tackles around the corner
Repertoire of moves
Can sink his hips
Can bend and dip underneath tackles
Excellent spin move
Has speed to power rush
Can bull rush
Upper body strength to shed blocks
Uses hands and feet at the same time
Excellent cutting and change of direction in the pass rush
Eats up space in a blur
Good play recognition
Good motor
Fights off blocks as a run defender
Excellent in pursuit as a run defender
Functioned well in space
Can dominate an offense and take over a game
Ready to contribute immediately
Experienced and successful against good college programs
Creates mismatches out of the slot

Weaknesses:

Undersized
Lacks weight
Lacks length
Will have issues holding up as a three-down base end
Has some natural limitations as a run defender for the NFL
Could have problems with repeated downhill runs straight at him

Prospect Summary:

Bailey started out his collegiate career at Stanford. As a freshman in 2022, he had 46 tackles with 2.5 sacks. In his second season, Bailey produced five sacks with 34 tackles. As a junior, he had seven sacks with 31 tackles and five forced fumbles. That led to Bailey landing a payday in the transfer portal, and he landed at Texas Tech. With the Red Raiders, Bailey dominated the Big 12 with 14.5 sacks, 52 tackles, three forced fumbles, and three passes batted. Bailey was superb in the college football playoff game, dominating the Oregon offensive tackles.

For the NFL, Bailey is a lightning-fast edge rusher with devastating speed around the edge. Bailey has tremendous first-step quickness, and he explodes off the ball. Bailey can fly upfield and blow by offensive tackles even when they know his speed rush is coming. Bailey shows a variety of pass-rushing moves as he has an excellent spin move, darts to the inside, and has some functional power. Bailey shows impressive speed to power rushes and has upper-body strength to get a bull rush as a change-up on offensive tackles. The bull rush and the speed to power take tackles by surprise, and that makes Bailey a tough rusher to defend. Along with being fast off the ball, Bailey has easy acceleration to eat up ground in a blur. He is a dynamic pursuit defender and a true speed rusher quarterback hunter.

As a run defender, Bailey has some natural issues given his size. Bailey fights and competes in the ground game nicely on some plays, but he has limitations for the NFL with his lack of weight and length. Bailey could have problems holding up against downhill runs coming straight at him for four quarters with offensive tackles that weigh 50-80 pounds more than him, pounding on him all game. Bailey will need to be rotated as a run defender, but in the ground game, he is good in pursuit and shows his speed to chase.

In the 2026 NFL Draft, Bailey looks like a high first-round pick. He could be a Pro Bowl edge rusher and double-digit sack producer early in his pro career.

Prospect Comparison:

Micah Parsons. In terms of style of play, Bailey reminds me of Parsons as an explosive edge rusher who has some size limitations as a run defender.