2026 NFL DRAFT
PROSPECT PROFILE
David Bailey
EDGE, Texas Tech 6-4, 251
Strengths
- Elite quickness off the line
- Excellent speed to power where he has the ability to stun and drive back the tackles at initial contact
- Knows how to use his body lean to get around the edge with low pad level without losing balance or speed
- Fantastic array of moves including a ghost, clubs, long arms and inside spin
- Makes a point to go for the ball
- Relentless in pursuit making plays from the backside and continuing his rushes for cleanup sacks and tackles
Weaknesses
- Arm length measurements are not ideal for NFL edge standards
- Wiry frame that could have issues with bigger linemen at the next level
- Can struggle when met with power as he doesn’t have the strength to match
- Loses contain with his obsession to get up field as if he’s rushing with blinders on
If you are expecting to put on the tape and watch a complete Edge player, Bailey will be disappointing. He is not a three-down edge player at the NFL level. Any team that drafts Bailey to be a DPR in year one will be getting the best of him with the hope he can develop into an every down player. He can step onto an NFL field tomorrow and beat some tackles off the line with speed alone because his first step is that elite. He also has a nice array of counters and a sneaky good speed to power bull rush that gets him the space he needs to use his speed to get the QB. His issues are going to come when he is asked to set an edge or when dealing with more powerful tackles that can absorb and equal his punch or just linemen that are vastly bigger than him. He doesn’t have the strength or length to anchor and shed. That’s not his game. Some evaluators are concerned with his smaller arm length, but it will not affect him in a DPR role where he can pin his ears back and use his speed and bend to win off the snap.
Bailey would fit the speed rushing need the Los Angeles Chargers have at the Edge position, but he is projected to be a top 10 pick, so there is no real chance they have to draft him.
