Round 1, Pick 2, David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
The Jets have their choice of non-quarterbacks here after the Raiders select Mendoza number one. New York opts for David Bailey, who has arguably the highest upside as a pure pass rusher of anyone in the class. His production at Texas Tech was elite (14.5 sacks), and he possesses rare first-step burst and explosiveness.
Bailey doesn’t have the raw power of Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. or the versatility of Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, but he has a proven track record and ideal measurables. At 6’4”, 251 pounds, the Red Raider clocked a 4.5 40-yard dash, and he’ll give the Jets defense a much-needed third-down X-factor.
As a run defender, Bailey has some work to do. He gets washed down the line of scrimmage too easily, and his ability to play through blockers in a phone booth is inconsistent at best. Overall, he’s the safest bet to be a double-digit sack player at the next level, and that’s well worth the second overall pick. The Jets don’t need to take any huge risks here. They just need good football players.
