Jets Trust David Bailey To Develop Into Impact Defender

New York Jets rookie edge defender David Bailey is adjusting to the NFL after being selected No. 2 overall in the 2026 draft, with coaches supporting his development at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Through four games, Bailey has shown pressure ability while learning a broader defensive role.

According to the Jets, Bailey has recorded 17 quarterback pressures and an 18.9% pressure rate from NextGenStats. The rookie has two sacks, 18 tackles and remains among the most productive first-year pass rushers despite criticism surrounding his early production.

Head coach Aaron Glenn said Bailey's value has extended beyond traditional statistics as the team uses him in multiple defensive situations.

"We have a ton of games left and David will make impact plays," said Aaron Glenn, Jets head coach.

Glenn explained that some of Bailey's contributions have helped teammates create opportunities, even when those plays are not obvious on the stat sheet.

"Sometimes those impact plays are not being seen by everyone who doesn't understand what we're asking him to do. But they are impact plays for us because they actually help other people make plays," said Aaron Glenn, Jets head coach.

Defensive coordinator Brian Duker highlighted Bailey's versatility during a game situation involving safety Andre Cisco's sack, noting that Bailey's responsibilities can affect pressure packages.

"The sack that Andre Cisco had, on that play, part of the reason that sack happened is because one of the defensive ends dropped into coverage and it gave us the ability to overload a side with that," said Brian Duker, Jets defensive coordinator.

Duker added that Bailey's ability to handle different assignments allows the defense to create pressure in other areas.

"His flexibility and ability to do those things allow us to generate pressures in other areas," said Brian Duker, Jets defensive coordinator.

Defensive line coach Karl Dunbar has focused on helping Bailey become a complete three-down defender after the rookie led the FBS with 14.5 sacks at Texas Tech last season.

"Putting him in there from day one, letting him understand, 'This is going to be your job, and that's why we drafted you,' I think he's taken that and run with it. That's the thing that you love about a young man who wants to be in there, and I think he's doing everything he can to get there. I think that's the thing you really like," said Karl Dunbar, Jets defensive line coach.

Dunbar also defended Bailey's extensive film study habits, saying preparation is a strength for the young defender.

"No, no, no! You take a break when you retire. I think the more film you watch, the more knowledgeable of your opponent you become. And I think a lot of times, guys don't watch film, and when you find a guy who likes to watch film, you don't break that habit," said Karl Dunbar, Jets defensive line coach.

Bailey said he is focused on improving rather than reacting to outside expectations after entering the league as a top selection. He also acknowledged the transition from college football has required adjustments.

"I wouldn't necessarily say I feel pressure. It's in the back of your mind. You know you're the No. 2 pick, you know there's high expectations just from the fans and also from teammates and the staff and everything.

But I try to not let that get to me. I try to say really nothing has changed, honestly. If I want to be the best, I've got certain things that I need to do.

Getting in the playbook, taking care of my body, studying film, studying other pass rushers that I want to emulate … and just taking care of the things I can control," said David Bailey, Jets edge defender.

Bailey said the NFL has brought new challenges because of the competition level and defensive system changes compared with his time at Texas Tech.

"It's definitely just different. There's a lot of factors that you gotta take into level competition, new defense. I'm working with new people...But you know at the end of the day it's just football. I still feel comfortable," said David Bailey, Jets edge defender.

The Jets have occasionally dropped Bailey into coverage, a role he said he experienced earlier in his college career.

"Definitely did that a lot in my Stanford days. Playing kind of like that SAM linebacker role, obviously didn't do it too much at Tech," said David Bailey, Jets edge defender.

Bailey's run defense has also improved, with Sports Illustrated reporting that Pro Football Focus graded him as the 14th best run-stopping edge rusher in the league through four games.

"That just came down to kind of like the work that I was putting in with my D-line and Coach Dunbar. It just kind of came down to like it wasn't a question whether I could do it, just whether like I had all my tools in place," said David Bailey, Jets edge defender.

Dunbar said the Jets believe Bailey is progressing toward the role they expected when they drafted him. The team wants him to combine individual ability with the structure of the defense.

"I think he's on par for what we're trying to ask him to do. I think he does a great job of getting to the passer. These last couple of weeks, you wouldn't think you'd have tight ends and running backs chipping the rookie, but he's getting that work," said Karl Dunbar, Jets defensive line coach.

Dunbar added that Bailey must continue learning how to work with the rest of the defensive front rather than relying only on individual matchups.

"We're trying to let him understand how he has to work with other guys and just can't be trying to beat everybody by himself. It's a four-man rush. It's not a one-man rush, a two-man rush," said Karl Dunbar, Jets defensive line coach.

Glenn said the next step is turning near-impact moments into finished plays as Bailey continues developing during his rookie season.

"He's still learning, he's still growing. He's going to be a damn good player in this league, we know that. And we want to turn those 'Man, we were just close' into 'Man, we made it.'

That's what we're working on with him. Maybe it's a step faster, maybe it's a different move that he has with his rush plan. But I have total confidence that this player will make that transition and make those plays," said Aaron Glenn, Jets head coach.