David Bailey, Jets Agree to 4-Year, $54.6M Rookie Contract After 2026 NFL Draft

After selecting edge rusher David Bailey with the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NFL draft, the New York Jets have finalized his rookie contract worth $54.6 million.

Throughout the pre-draft process, the Jets were the subject of frequent debates over whether they should use the No. 2 pick to select Bailey or linebacker Arvell Reese. They ultimately opted to select Bailey, while Reese was selected fifth overall by the New York Giants.

Grading David Bailey Pick

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As a full-time edge rusher, Bailey is a ready-made talent who can make an immediate impact on a Jets defense that ranked 31st in the NFL with a total of just 26 sacks in 2025. The former Texas Tech star led the FBS with 14.5 sacks in his final college season. Per ESPN's Rich Cimini, Bailey has "the highest career quarterback pressure percentage (18.7) in the FBS over the past 10 seasons."

Bailey headlined a talented Jets draft class that was graded an A- by B/R's Kristopher Knox. New York also used first-round picks to select tight end Kenyon Sadiq and wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., adding much-needed talent to a team that hasn't made the playoffs in 14 straight years.

Now that Bailey's contract is finalized, the Jets will focus on getting their new pieces ready for the 2026 season as they try to emerge from their perpetual rebuild.