Jets GM Explains David Bailey's Cancelled Visit in Video Amid 2026 NFL Draft Rumors

New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey downplayed the significance behind the team cancelling its planned visit with Texas Tech edge-rusher David Bailey.

Mougey told reporters Tuesday the Jets had substantive conversations with Bailey already. The team appeared to believe its top-30 visit was better used with a different prospect:

Bailey is the No. 7 overall player and second-best edge-rusher on Bleacher Report's final big board. As a senior with the Red Raiders, he had 14.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss in 14 games.

David Bailey highlights

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Without a viable quarterback option at No. 2, going with a pass-rusher makes sense for a team that had the second-fewest sacks (26) in the NFL. Bailey meets the ideal cross section of need and value for New York.

One NFL executive basically isn't buying what Mougey sold on the cancelled visit, though.

"Why would you cancel it unless it's the smokescreen of all smokescreens?" the exec said to The Athletic's Jeff Howe. "But that wouldn't make sense because you'd want to spend as much time with him as possible before you draft him."

Still, The Ringer's Todd McShay reported last week that Bailey going to the Jets is "close to a foregone conclusion in NFL circles." Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports echoed that narrative:

New York taking Ohio State linebacker/edge-rusher Arvell Reese wouldn't be a complete shock because it looks like a two-horse race between he and Bailey.

If Reese is the choice, then some may have questions about when and why the Jets pivoted away from Bailey.