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David Bailey flies to New York.
The JETS took the Texas Tech stud with the second pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and now he’s favored to win Defensive Rookie of the Year next season.
Let’s take a look at the early odds board at DraftKings Sportsbook from April 24th.
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2026-27 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds
David Bailey (Jets): +350 (bet $10 to win $45 total)
Sonny Styles (Commanders): +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)
Arvell Reese (Giants): +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)
Rueben Bain Jr. (Buccaneers): +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)
Caleb Downs (Cowboys): +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)
Mansoor Delane (Chiefs): +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)
Malachi Lawrence (Cowboys): +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Akheem Mesidor (Chargers): +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Here’s what you need to know about the odds board:
Jet setting: Bailey was a unanimous All-American last season for the Red Raiders, with a Division 1-best 14.5 sacks and a Big 12-best 19.5 tackles for loss. Said FOX Sports NFL analyst Rob Rang of the Jets’ selection: “Finishing dead last in the AFC in sacks, the Jets made the right choice to add this year’s best pass rusher. Bailey’s burst and bend off the edge are elite. He’s a realistic Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate who projects as a 10-plus sackmaker.”
Bet on the Buckeyes: Three Ohio State Buckeyes went in the first seven picks, including linebacker Arvell Reese at No. 5 and linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 7. Rank of Reese said, “This is a fascinating pick for the Giants, as Reese gives the Giants as formidable a trio of edge rushers as there is in the NFL, along with the recent selection of Kavon and Carty, top-10 picks of course. Thibodeaux’s ability to play the off-ball linebacker position, as well as project as a dynamic pass rusher, gives new coach John Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson an awful lot of flexibility. Regarding Styles, Rang said, “Both in Seattle and most recently in Washington, Dan Quinn was blessed to have future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner at middle linebacker. Notably, Quinn will now have an even better athlete in the middle of his Commanders defense in Styles. There are only a few linebackers in NFL history with Styles’ combination of size and speed — considering Brian Urlach needs a Hall of Famer defensive end, and a Hall of Famer defense from Washington. prove to be so at once.”
