With the 2026 NFL draft, Day one starting in Pittsburgh today, the first-round picks are more surprising and unpredictable. The most projected Texas Tech defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys got drafted by the New York Jets at No.2. 

David Bailey was drafted as the No. 2 overall pick by the New York Jets. According to the mock draft by Trevor Sikemma from Bleacher Report, the Jets were projected to take edge rusher Arvell Reese. 

According to NFL Insider Tom Pelissero on X, 

“The Jets select Texas Tech edge David Bailey at No. 2 overall -- the pick widely expected within the league comes to fruition. And now, things get interesting …”, he noted in his X account.

According to many NFL analysts and insiders, including Randy Gurzi from SI.com. The Cowboys were strongly projected to take Bailey at No. 3. Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski also projected that the Cowboys would pick Bailey at No.12

David Bailey is considered the class’s best pure pass-rusher, recording 14.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss in his senior season at Texas Tech.  His 40-yard dash time of 4.51 seconds was tops among all interior defensive linemen and edge rushers at the combine, according to Tony Adame of Heavy.com

Now that the Jets have secured him at No. 2, the Cowboys are left with one less in their top projected defensive picks for the first round.

Fans React to Jets Selecting David Bailey at No. 2

The reactions from the fans to the New York Jets picking David Bailey at No.2 were divided. Commenting on Ian Rapoport's X post, many are wondering about the choice of picking Bailey over other defensive picks.

“WE DRAFTED A BUST”, one fan wrote.

Many fans were shocked to see Bailey getting picked over Arvell, saying

“Bungled it.  Reese is the much better prospect,” and  “Over Reese…..the jets gonna jet”

Meanwhile, a Jets fan, separating himself from the analysis and chaos, sent a welcoming message

“WELCOME DAVID BAILEY”

Another fan felt that Bailey would be a great addition, saying:

“BAILEY changes that edge.”

Another reacted the same, commenting, 

“This is the Jets finally acting like a serious franchise instead of a weekly QB therapy session.”

In the end, the Dallas Cowboys' missing out on David Bailey forces a shift in strategy. This will now push them to explore other defensive options on the board. 

Do you think the Jets made a wise choice?

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi