2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: David Bailey (EDGE – Texas Tech)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey.

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: David Bailey

David Bailey (EDGE – Texas Tech)

6’3″ – 250 lbs.

Background

Originally attended Stanford, where he immediately stepped into a starting role as a freshman, totaling 430 snaps in 2022 and finishing with 46-8.5-2.5. Started five of ten games played the following year (348 snaps) and went 34-6.0-5.0, then 31-8.0-7.0 in 2024 before transferring to Texas Tech, where he broke out this season to the tune of 52-19.5-14.5.

Positives

Has almost four years of starting experience under his belt, with a major breakthrough this past year. Has experience as both a stand-up edge rusher and with his hand in the dirt. Does a good job of keeping opposing blockers out of his pads in the run game. Locates the ball well and flows smoothly toward the play direction. Has some violence in his hands to shed blocks. Looks fast and smooth in backside pursuit. Shows a good motor in pursuit and offers impressive range due to his athleticism. Was one of college football’s most dynamic pass-rushers this past year; has a quick first step to threaten the edge, shows good technique with his hands, and bends a smooth arc to the passer when working around the edge. Flashes the ability to dip his shoulder and slip underneath an opponent’s punch. Mixes in the occasional inside move to take advantage of oversetting. Shows an impressive closing burst to finish his rushes. Tenacious effort can lead to coverage sacks on second effort. Has ten career forced fumbles, including eight over the past two seasons. Effective quarterback spy. Also has the range/motor to get out toward the sidelines and make tackles in the screen game.

Negatives

Frame may not be quite as big as some teams like. As a smaller edge rusher, doesn’t have the most sand in his pants to set a hard edge and hold the point of attack; wins with activity/tenacity more than brute force. Could keep his shoulders straighter a bit more consistently in the run game. Hips tend to get a bit high in his rushes, which leads to issues with his pad level/center of gravity. Doesn’t have a pronounced power element to his game and is unlikely to walk back pro offensive tackles with his bull rush on a consistent basis. Repertoire of counters is relatively limited so far. Took snaps in coverage at Stanford and has the athleticism to drop, but that role was very limited this past season.

Summary

A highly tenacious edge rusher who has the first-step, speed, and agility to threaten the edge on passing downs, and who brings the same motor in the run game as well, his excellent 2025 campaign has him in the high first-round conversation. At the same time, he’s not quite as clean of a prospect as his numbers would lead you to believe, and will need to continue to add functional strength, improve his pad level, and diversify his arsenal of rush moves/counters. Frame suggests he’s likely to be viewed as more of a rush linebacker than even-front base end.

Projection: Round 1