Bailey previously starred for Stanford, posting 111 tackles, 15 sacks, and seven forced fumbles across three seasons. After transferring to Texas Tech, he exploded for a 52-tackle, 15-sack season with three forced fumbles and two passes defensed, earning consensus first-team All-Big 12 and first-team All-American honors.
Physically, Bailey checks every box for an elite edge rusher. He stands about 6-3½ and 251 pounds, ran a 4.50-second 40-yard dash at the Combine, and posted a 35-inch vertical jump along with a 10-foot-9-inch broad jump, underscoring his explosive burst and athletic versatility.
Scouts describe Bailey as a dynamic, violent pass rusher who can bend the edge and overwhelm blockers with a rapid first step and a club of powerful hands. He’s praised for a deep bag of moves, strong counters, and the ability to generate pressure with both speed and technique, while also contributing as a run defender and showing improved drop-off coverage for his position.
With Bailey now in the building as a defensive cornerstone, the Jets may shift their focus to the offense at No. 16, should they stay put or maneuver around the board. Rumors suggest a potential move to target a playmaking wide receiver, with several names already connected to the Jets as possible fits on the depth chart.
Among the receivers linked to No. 16 were Washington’s Denzel Boston, USC’s Makai Lemon, Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr., and Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion, all potential targets to retool New York’s offensive weaponry after solidifying the pass rush with Bailey.
