Cleveland Browns NFL Draft Profile: DE David Bailey, Texas Tech
· Yahoo Sports
NFL teams do not have the same level of gravitas as MLB teams when it comes to “filling out the lineup card” on game day. But if they did, the Cleveland Browns would be able to pre-print Myles Garrett’s name at one defensive end position for all 17 games of the season.
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The problem can come at the defensive end position across from Garrett.
Over the years, the Browns have filled that spot with a rotating cast that has included Emmanuel Ogbah, Olivier Vernon, Jadeveon Clowney, and Za’Darius Smith.
Last season, Cleveland tried the committee approach with Alex Wright, Cameron Thomas, and Isaiah McGuire, which worked out for the most part.
Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, defense may not be a priority, at least in the first round, but if general manager Andrew Berry is interested in adding a defensive end who can make Garrett even more lethal, then he may consider Texas Tech’s David Bailey when the Browns are on the clock.
.@StanfordFball@TexasTechFB edge standout; David Bailey; wrecked a lot of CFB QB's over the last 4 years… Knows how to win off the EDGE. #BaldysBreakdownspic.twitter.com/W7Ojb76bPk
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 1, 2026
Name: David Bailey
Position: Defensive End
Height/Weight: 6-foot-4, 251 pounds
College: Texas Tech Red Raiders
2025 Defensive Stats: 14 games, 52 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles
Career Defensive Stats: 46 games, 163 tackles, 42 tackles for loss, 29 sacks, 10 forced fumbles
Average “Big Board” Position as of Publishing Date from Mock Draft Database: 3rd overall, projected first round
The Draft Network’s Grade/Round Value: Round 1 – Pro Bowl Caliber
David Bailey is a DE prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored a 9.66 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 78 out of 2239 DE from 1987 to 2026.https://t.co/QPNfnRoilmpic.twitter.com/mXIz2l9Qh8
— RAS.football (@MathBomb) April 4, 2026
What an Expert is Saying
Bailey is extremely hard for linemen to stay in front of. He moves like a slashing two guard, blending explosiveness and fluidity to slip, bend and flow around blocks from multiple angles. His leverage and lower-body flexion create game-over scenarios once he reaches pocket depth with even a minor lead. He can be stalled when a blocker latches his hands in deep, but Bailey’s elusiveness and suddenness make clean clamps a relative rarity. He’s instinctive with natural mid-rush counters, but he must continue developing hand usage and crafting rush plans for when protection shifts his way. Teams can run at Bailey due to his lack of anchor and take-on presence, but his work-around quickness will also lead to tackles for loss. His draft grade is slightly tempered by a lack of desired size/length, but the explosiveness and athletic talent is truly elite. His sack production should carry over to the NFL as an odd-front rush linebacker with Pro Bowl upside.
What an Expert is Saying (Bonus Round):
Bailey is a shorter-than-ideal and linearly built edge rusher with outstanding length, elite athletic traits, and an advanced set of pass rush tools. In 2025, he racked up a remarkable 19.5 TFL, 14.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles (all on strip sacks). His tape got better as the season progressed.
He can be a high-impact run defender. When he fires out with intention and locates the ball on time, he does a nice job of disengaging quickly and pursuing. However, there’s no denying his lean lower body and linear frame. His ball location can be spotty, and he sometimes comes out of his stance too high and gets caught with his eyes in the backfield, causing him to lose lane integrity as a pass rusher and contain versus the run.
Make no mistake: Bailey is lean, and he can get pushed around too easily in the run game at times. However, he’s an elite pass rusher. The best in this class. He has the length (33 3/4–inch arms and 79 3/4–inch wingspan), instincts, snap in his hands, and elite closing burst to immediately make an impact rushing the quarterback.
Look at what Abdul Carter did late in his rookie season (3.5 sacks in his final four games). And at what James Pearce (10.5 sacks) and Jalon Walker (5.5 sacks) did as rookies. They were all undersized but incredibly athletic pass rushers who produced in year one. Bailey is capable of similar output or better in 2026—and will continue to develop the rest of his game in year two and beyond.
Fit with the Browns
Almost anyone is going to look good playing on a defensive line with Garrett routinely occupying two or three blockers. While there are questions about Bailey’s size, being able to take on just one blocker could accelerate his growth and give the Browns the kind of pass rush that can truly change the outcome of a game.
Browns Player Drafting Could Impact
The club seems happy enough with their current rotation at the position, and there are other areas that need to be addressed in the first round. But if they were to use a first-round selection on a defensive end, then Julian Okwara, Isaiah McGuire, and Alex Wright would be sweating during training camp and the preseason from more than just the summer heat.
Priority: Medium(ish)
What are your thoughts on David Bailey? Should the Browns use a first-round pick on a defensive with so many other roster issues? Let us know in the comments!