Former Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey was one of the best defensive players in college football last season. Bailey helped power the Red Raiders’ defense, which propelled them to a dominant Big 12 championship and a coveted berth in the College Football Playoff.
After a stellar season for the Red Raiders after transferring from the Stanford Cardinal, Bailey declared for the 2026 NFL Draft and has appeared in several first-round mock drafts.
David Bailey’s NFL Draft Stock Soars
In his latest mock draft, PFSN analyst Alec Elijah detailed the qualities that Bailey would bring to the NFL team that drafts him and predicted that the Tennessee Titans would select the talented defensive end with the No. 4 pick on draft night.
“Holding the No. 4 overall selection, the Titans could find it difficult to pass on an elite edge defender like David Bailey out of Texas Tech. While some mock drafts debate whether Rueben Bain might come off the board first, Bailey’s size and wingspan give him a clear advantage in projecting to the next level,” Elijah wrote.
“With Robert Saleh stepping in to shape the team’s defensive identity, securing a dominant pass rusher could be a priority. Bailey brings the kind of physical presence off the edge that defensive-minded coaches covet, blending youth, power, and high-end effort.”
Bailey is in competition with former Miami Hurricanes standout Rueben Bain Jr. to become the first EDGE off the board on draft night.
Common NFL Destination Emerging for Bailey
Bailey’s soaring draft stock was further bolstered in ESPN Draft guru Field Yates’s latest mock draft. Yates predicted that, despite his team’s other pressing needs, the new Titans coach, Robert Saleh, would also utilize his No. 4 pick on Bailey.
“The Titans could easily go wide receiver with this pick to further support quarterback Cam Ward, but Bailey addresses another roster hole that new head coach Robert Saleh would surely be thrilled to tackle,” Yates wrote.
“Bailey led the FBS in sacks (14.5) during his lone season at Texas Tech after three seasons at Stanford. A number of those sacks came from his lightning-fast first step — the best of any collegiate rusher. And he has the instincts to get his hands up in passing lanes.”
Bailey tallied 32 solo tackles, three forced fumbles, and had an FBS-leading 14.5 sacks for the Red Raiders last season. Despite his outstanding performances, he lost out on the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year to teammate, linebacker Jacob Rodriguez. However, he bagged the Defensive Newcomer of the Year and Defensive Lineman of the Year. He was also named as an All-Big 12 First-Team selectee.
