Bailey, a Stanford transfer who joined Texas Tech, exploded in 2025 to lead the nation with 14.5 sacks and add 19.5 tackles for loss (Big 12), along with three forced fumbles. His production helped the Red Raiders post one of their few double-digit-win seasons in school history, while TTU’s defense allowed just 11.8 points per game when he was driving the rush.
Standing 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, Bailey can line up as a standup defender or with his hand in the dirt. His outstanding get-off enables him to close ground quickly, and he uses a diverse array of moves to reach the quarterback. He also shows the ability to bend the edge and pressures from multiple angles.
In the run game, Bailey pursues plays with burst and solid pursuit angles, and he handles short-area routes underneath when asked. While the Commanders shouldn’t rely on him as a primary game-coverage option, he demonstrates adequate functionality in limited drop-coverage scenarios.
The Commanders totaled 42 sacks in 2025, led by Von Miller’s nine, but their pass rush was uneven. With Miller set to become a free agent and Deatrich Wise Jr. returning from a season-ending injury, Bailey could provide an immediate upgrade as a bookend alongside Dorrance Armstrong if he lands in D.C.
On January 26, 2026, Washington hired Daronte Jones as the new defensive coordinator. Jones’ secondary-oriented background may shift some focus to coverage, but the front should remain a priority, as disruption up front shortens exposure for the secondary. Paired with Daron Payne and Jer’Zhan Newton, Bailey could form an inside/outside rush tandem capable of forcing quicker decisions from quarterbacks.
