David Bailey 2026 NFL Draft: scouting report for Texas Tech edge rusher

David Bailey was one of the best defenders in the country with the Texas Tech Red Raiders, and it has vaulted him to the top of the first round.

AJ Schulte — College Football Trending News Writer

Jan 18, 2026 7:00 AM EST

Oct 18, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey (31) sacks Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) in the first half at Mountain America Stadium. — Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Height: 6026
Weight: 238
Year: Senior
Pro Comparison: Chop Robinson

2026 NFL Combine Results

David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

Hand Size: 10 1/4″
Arm Length: 33 3/4″
40-Yard Dash: 4.50
Vertical Leap: 35″
Broad Jump: 129″
20-Yard Shuttle: N/A
3-Cone: N/A

Pros of David Bailey

Elite quickness and foot speed off the line of scrimmage. Bailey’s explosiveness and timing of the snap allow him to immediately threaten the edge of tackles, and more often than not allowed him to win the rep nearly instantly. Displayed elite pursuit quickness to make an impact from the backside of run plays.
Very good motor. Bailey is constantly chasing down plays and hustling to the ball carrier.
Very good length. While we don’t have an official measurement of his arm length, Bailey will likely cross the 34-inch mark here. Bailey knows how to use his length well to establish first contact and stab at offensive tackles or harass the ball carrier and threaten passing lanes.
Good change of direction. Bailey isn’t the bendiest edge rusher out there, but he has good change-of-direction ability and can corner enough to be a highly effective high side rusher. Additionally, Bailey looked comfortable and fluid spot-dropping in coverage.

Cons of David Bailey

Average pass-rush plan and moveset. Bailey tried off a wide array of moves throughout the season, flashing a lethal ghost move alongside rip moves, a spin move, and a solid bull rush. His overall sequencing of moves has to improve to go along with further improvements in the timing and placement of his swipes to knock down punches from blockers.
Adequate bend. Tight, tight ankle stiffness as a rusher limits his ability to run the hoop and get to the quarterback. Can be mitigated to a degree with better footwork and technical refinement, but won’t ever be a strength.
Poor run defense at him. Bailey is a virtual zero in the run game. Timid to engage blockers. Poor pad level and marginal leg strength make him a non-factor at the POA, often getting engulfed by OTs and TEs, and he struggles to disengage and set a firm edge. Poor gap discipline, will often freelance and dip out of his gaps to try and scrape around blockers.

Background

A four-star recruit from California powerhouse Mater Dei High School, Bailey made an immediate impact with the Stanford Cardinal, starting nine games as a freshman. Made a name as a disruptive role player with the Cardinal despite switching schemes, and elected to enter the transfer portal when former Stanford head coach Troy Taylor was fired. Texas Tech inked him to one of the richest NIL deals ever, and he made good on that investment, catapulting the Red Raiders into the College Football Playoff in 2025. Boasted an incredible 81 pressures, 15 sacks, and 21.6% pass rush-win rate this season.

Player Evaluation

David Bailey is going to be one of the most fascinating litmus tests of this class. How valuable is a designated pass rusher? It’s doubtful Bailey will ever be a consistent threat in the run game, but his athletic tools will allow him to make splash plays on the backside of plays. How comfortable can a team get with his marginal ability to hold up in the run game early on in his career? Is that worth an investment at the top of the draft? I don’t know.

What I do know is that Bailey is a toolsy, high effort pass rusher with impressive production who absolutely dominated the competition in his final season of college football. Bailey’s athleticism allows him to threaten OTs right away with impressive speed, but his lack of readily-available counters at this stage could limit his initial impact. While his effort and athleticism allowed him to make several splash plays against the run, his marginal leg strength, pad level, and timidity at the point of attack will make him a complete non-factor in the run game early in his career. With further technical development, he could be a high-volitilty EDGE1 or elite EDGE2. I see him best fitting as a DPR in a 3-4 scheme.