Jets surprisingly cancel Top 30 pre-draft visit with possible No. 2 pick David Bailey

Over the last few weeks, there's been an overwhelming shift from reporters and analysts regarding the New York Jets and the No. 2 overall pick heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.

At first, it felt like Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese was the presumptive favorite. The betting odds reflected it, and it made sense given the Jets' new defensive scheme under Aaron Glenn.

Then, there was a dramatic change, with prominent, plugged-in draft experts airing on the side of Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey as the favorite to go No. 2.

The latest update on the Reese-Bailey saga will have Jets fans' heads spinning, with SNY's Connor Hughes reporting that the Jets decided to cancel their Top 30 pre-draft visit with Bailey.

What does a cancelled visit mean for Texas Tech's David Bailey?

The cancelled visit is an incredibly interesting development, and could mean one of two things.

For starters, maybe the Jets have already done enough work on Bailey and feel that there's no need to speak with him again, just a week before the draft. They met with him at the NFL Scouting Combine and surely got enough information out of him then.

On the other hand, there have been some character concerns brought up with Bailey recently. The Athletic's Dane Brugler noted that the Red Raider was involved in a physical altercation with a photographer this past season, and that NFL scouts want "more consistent energy levels" from him off the field.

Wouldn't the Jets want more information about these types of things before making him the first non-quarterback off the board on April 23?

Secondly, the Jets may have zeroed in on Reese as the No. 2 overall pick and have made the decision to pass on Bailey for the Buckeyes' services. After all, that's how it felt coming out of free agency.

New York made an effort to add some pure edge rushers in free agency. They signed Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare to rotate with Will McDonald. Adding Bailey would just bring another rotational rusher in the mix, right?

Reese, while still likely to rush the passer throughout his rookie season in the pros, will play an almost entirely different role while on the field. The 6-foot-4 linebacker can impact the game at multiple levels, specifically providing a boost in the run game.

We'll see what this cancelled visit actually ends up meaning next Thursday night, when the Jets kick off the 2026 NFL Draft with the first major question mark of a draft pick.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow