The Commanders need more than just an impactful pass rusher, though, as they were 30th against the run in 2025 and gave up 4.8 yards per carry. By many accounts, Bailey could use some improvement in this area. Zierlein points out that Bailey can be “stalled” when offensive linemen manage to get their hands on him. Bailey is quick and elusive enough to make that a difficult task, but the results do show a clear gap in his skill set as a pass rusher and run stopper. He finished last season tied for 95th among edge defenders against the run, which is more concerning when considering that Texas Tech’s strength of schedule ranked among the easiest in the Big 12.
However, Bailey did put together promising performances against Texas Tech’s more difficult opponents. He had four pressures against BYU in the Big 12 Championship and against Oregon in the first round of the College Football Playoff with a sack in each game. In fact, it was his production against Oregon that convinced Commanders analyst Logan Paulsen that he is the best pass rusher this year’s draft class has to offer.
“We talk about timing the snap; it was perfect. His instincts as a pass rusher — on the line, over the line — he’s got it,” Paulsen said. “The length — the arm length and the strength — seem like it was excellent … Nobody in this draft class, as of now, gets more consistent pressure on the quarterback than David Bailey.”
The Commanders only have six draft picks this year — just one more compared to 2025 — and it’s clear that they need help at multiple positions to get back into the playoff discussion in the upcoming season. They’ve expressed a desire to get younger and faster, which could be difficult with just two picks in the first three rounds.
But there is value in finding an answer at one of the more important positions in the sport. If they were to take Bailey off the board and it works out, it could be worth it to have one of the smallest draft classes in the league.
“His draft grade is slightly tempered by a lack of desired size/length, but the explosiveness and athletic talent is truly elite,” Zierlein wrote. “His sack production should carry over to the NFL as an odd-front rush linebacker with Pro Bowl upside.”