After missing the playoffs, the Kansas City Chiefs are looking to improve their roster through the upcoming draft, with head coach Andy Reid and GM Brett Veach maximizing their opportunities at the NFL Combine. With many exciting names on the table, the Chiefs’ leadership has received a major boost as one of their defensive prospects has expressed excitement about playing in Kansas City with his idol, Chris Jones.

“Yeah, I have met with the Kansas City Chiefs,” Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey said, as per Ryan Linkletter on Wednesday. “A great team, a great staff. I really enjoyed my meeting there. I’d be honored to rush alongside Chris Jones.”

While opening up on his interest in lining up next to Chris Jones, Bailey also shared how the Kansas City representation made him feel welcomed during his interview with the franchise.

“It was just a comfortable meeting; I felt comfortable with them,” Bailey said, as per KC Star reporter Pete Sweeney. “They were extremely personal, and we talked a little bit of ball. I just felt comfortable. I didn’t feel stressed at all. They made me feel welcome.”

The Chiefs have interviewed David Bailey after their defensive line finished the 2025-26 season with a PFF grade of 60.8, ranking it 20th in the league.

Similarly, the Chiefs only recorded 35 sacks as a team in 2025 (tied for 22nd in the NFL). With reinforcements needed, Bailey could emerge as a perfect prospect for Andy Reid and Co., after the Texas Tech defensive end recorded 52 total tackles, 14.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and three defended passes, while leading the Big 12 with 19.5 tackles for loss.

What makes Bailey a special prospect isn’t just his production. It’s his efficiency and ability to get closer to the QBs more often. His 14.5 sacks tied for the FBS lead in 2025. Per reports, Bailey’s 81 total pressures last season mark the highest among all edge rushers in the country. He also boasted a 23.4% win rate on pass-rush snaps, proving he can consistently beat the tackles one-on-one.

Beyond the physical athleticism, Bailey brings a rare level of intellectual maturity to the draft board. A Mater Dei product, he originally attended Stanford, where he remarkably graduated in just three years with a degree in science & technology before transferring to Texas Tech for his fourth year of NCAA eligibility. His football IQ is exactly what a complex defense like Kansas City’s demands. Bailey’s ability to diagnose blocking schemes in real time gives him a massive edge over other rookies.

As Kansas City will pick in the top 10 for the first time since 2017, when they drafted Patrick Mahomes, ESPN’s Matt Miller also named David Bailey as the Chiefs’ choice in the upcoming 2026 NFL draft.

“Although he isn’t the big-bodied defensive end Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo prefers, the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Bailey has speed off the snap and the ability to chase down quarterbacks,” Miller wrote. “The Chiefs had only 35 sacks as a team in 2025 (tied for 22nd in the NFL), so Bailey would give their pass rush a jolt with his agility and power.”

Looking at these signs, it appears that Andy Reid could go all-in on David Bailey. However, the Chiefs aren’t alone in search of a talented defensive lineman and hence are set to face tough competition from teams picking before them.

Chiefs face tough competition in the David Bailey sweepstakes

Alongside Kansas City, David Bailey has been in the crosshairs of two teams picking towards the top of the 2026 NFL draft. These franchises are the New York Jets and the Arizona Cardinals, who finished their 2025 seasons on a disappointing note and hold the second and third picks, respectively.

ESPN’s Jack Fitzpatrick revealed that the Cardinals have interviewed David Bailey, who said he had a “really great meeting” with the franchise, as per Arizona Sports. Similarly, the Jets also have their eyes on Bailey, with beat writer Nick Faria revealing that the New York front office is ready to pick him second.

“Really easy to be impressed by David Bailey,” Faria wrote on X. “Graduated from Stanford in three years before dominating with Tech. Will absolutely be in consideration for the #Jets at 2.”

While speaking about his inclination towards academics and managing his football career, Bailey claims he has a special ability to stay focused. Everything happened simultaneously and he was going with the swing. A perfect candidate for the Jets to consider at No. 2.

“If I want something and put my mind to it, I feel like I’m able to achieve that,” Bailey shared during the Combine interview. ” The goal of graduating in three, I really didn’t think about it until after freshman year. The reality was after that, where I started taking community courses and online courses to get more credits and graduate. So as soon as I knew that’s what I wanted to do, I put my mind to it and I was able to achieve that,” he added.

David Bailey has all the parameters of a perfect fit in Kansas City, but the Chiefs may need to trade up if they want to beat the Jets and Cardinals to the punch. But one thing is certain: the Texas Tech standout is one of the prominent prospects in this draft class, and his landing spot on draft night will be one of the most closely watched storylines.