NFL Draft Spotlight: Why David Bailey Might Be the Edge Rusher the Chiefs Have Been Waiting For
For years, the Kansas City Chiefs have built their defensive edge room with practicality in mind. Tough, steady, do-it-all types who can hold their own on every down.
Think high-floor, scheme-friendly players who fit the mold. But every now and then, you need something a little flashier.
Something that turns heads. And in this year’s NFL Draft, that something might just be Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey.
Bailey isn’t your typical Chiefs-style edge. He’s not the biggest guy in the class, and he’s not the strongest at the point of attack. But what he brings to the table is something Kansas City hasn’t had in a long time: pure, unfiltered pass-rush juice.
A Different Kind of Disruptor
Let’s start with what makes Bailey special. Turn on the tape, and it’s immediately obvious-this guy explodes off the line.
His first step is lightning-quick, and he combines that burst with a rare blend of bend and body control. He doesn’t just get around tackles-he flies past them.
There’s a violence to his game that jumps off the screen, the kind of suddenness that makes offensive linemen panic and quarterbacks uncomfortable.
Bailey doesn’t rely on just one move, either. His pass-rush arsenal is deep and well-developed.
He’ll hit you with a ghost move one snap, then come back with a long-arm stab, a rip, a spin-you name it. He’s a technician with a plan, and he executes that plan with elite-level twitch and urgency.
Whether he’s attacking off the edge or looping inside, Bailey consistently wins with both skill and effort.
Athleticism That Pops
It’s not just about pass-rushing moves, though. Bailey is a high-end athlete with the kind of versatility that defensive coordinators love.
He’s lined up all over the front seven-off the edge, in the B-gap, even in off-ball alignments. He can drop into coverage, spy mobile quarterbacks, and knife through gaps in the run game.
His GPS-tracked top speed of 22.16 mph and weight-room numbers (405-lb. bench, 550-lb. squat) back up what the tape shows: this is a rare athlete with the tools to be a game-changer.
And while he’s listed at 250 pounds now, his frame looks denser than that. He’s not just a speed guy-he’s got some pop in his pads.
He’s shown the ability to finish plays in space and chase down ball carriers from behind. His effort never wavers, and that motor shows up consistently on film.
The Fit in Kansas City
Now, let’s talk about the fit. The Chiefs already have a solid foundation on the defensive line.
George Karlaftis is an every-down grinder who sets a strong edge and brings consistent pressure. Ashton Gillotte has flashed early-down ability, and Chris Jones remains one of the most dominant interior disruptors in the league.
What they don’t have is a true speed threat off the edge-a guy who can win immediately and force quarterbacks to get the ball out faster than they want to. That’s where Bailey comes in.
He doesn’t have to be a three-down player on Day 1. He just needs to be that spark plug, that designated pass-rusher who can tilt the field on third down.
Yes, there are questions about his size and run defense. He’s not going to stack and shed double teams like a traditional 4-3 end.
He can get washed out by tight ends and fullbacks if he doesn’t win early. But the Chiefs have the personnel to mask some of those weaknesses.
They can rotate him situationally, use him creatively, and let him do what he does best-get after the quarterback.
Production That Speaks for Itself
Bailey didn’t just flash on tape-he produced at an elite level. In his lone season at Texas Tech, he led all of FBS with 81 total pressures, 15 sacks, and 23 quarterback hits.
Those numbers aren’t just good-they’re dominant. And they came against legitimate competition, including some of the top offensive lines in the country.
Before transferring to Texas Tech, Bailey was a standout at Stanford, where he played 32 games and racked up 22.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks. He’s been productive everywhere he’s played, and his ability to impact games from multiple alignments makes him one of the most intriguing defensive prospects in this class.
High Ceiling, Worth the Swing
Every draft comes with a decision point. Do you stick with the safe, dependable option? Or do you swing big on a player who could change the complexion of your defense?
David Bailey is that swing.
He’s not perfect. His run defense needs work, and his frame may never be ideal for a traditional edge role in a 4-3 front.
But his upside as a pass-rusher is as high as anyone’s in this class. He’s explosive, skilled, relentless, and athletic in a way that few edge prospects are.
For a team like the Chiefs-who already have the structure and depth to support a player like Bailey-this could be the perfect time to take the Corvette out of the garage. Let Karlaftis and Gillotte do the dirty work on early downs.
Let Chris Jones collapse the pocket from the inside. And let Bailey pin his ears back and go hunt.
Because at the end of the day, sacks still matter. Pressures still change games. And David Bailey knows how to get both in bunches.
If the Chiefs are serious about taking their pass rush to the next level, Bailey’s the kind of player who can get them there.