David Bailey making Jets fans forget about Arvell Reese in training camp breakout

The contingent of New York Jets fans who are still skeptical about their decision to select Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft over Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese is slowly being converted.

Bailey managed to make his presence felt with a dominant second day of Jets training camp. While there are still no pads on and this was just one team session of what will be many over the course of the summer, it's hard not to get excited about Bailey's long-term ceiling.

Antwan Staley of the New York Daily News said that Bailey would have had at least three sacks if this were a real game, saying that his speed has been "impressive." Zack Rosenblatt said that Bailey beat Armand Membou with a bull rush and speed separately to get into the backfield, and even added that he made plays against the run. Not bad for a rookie some fans didn't even want.

Jets rookie David Bailey shines in second Jets training camp practice

Even with Joseph Ossai on the PUP list, the pass rush seems to be winning the day despite two promising tackles in Membou and Olu Fashanu. Kingsley Enagbare was also making some noise. If this translates over when the pads come on, the Jets may have a very interesting pass rush on their hands.

Bailey came into the NFL with two major questions. His lack of power in his pass rush plan of attack and poor run defense both had fans questioning this move. This may be very early in the entire process, but it looks like Bailey is showing that he belongs against some high-end NFL athletes.

Even if Bailey is half as dominant in the season as he was in practice, this pass rush is going to be leaps and bounds better than the unit that finished 31st in sacks last season. Bailey, Enagbare, and Ossai are the new additions who will join former first-round pick and designated pass rush specialist Will McDonald on the revamped defensive line.

Reese is likely going to have a very good career with the Giants, but if the Jets cared about pure pass rush ability and having a penchant for piling up sacks, Bailey appeared to be perfectly at home at this level of competition. Part of his appeal was his experience and plug-and-play style, and showings like this further vindicate Darren Mougey.

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