It's been a fantastic start to the 2026 season for Texas Tech defensive rookies in the NFL. We've spent plenty of time discussing the amazing play turned in by Miami Dolphins middle linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, but Sunday, it was David Bailey's turn to take the league by storm.
In his team's 17-12 win over Cleveland, the New York Jets' prized first-year star turned in a performance for the ages. Bailey racked up three sacks against the Browns to bring his season total to five. That number leads all rookies and is just one behind the NFL's leader, Greg Rousseau of the Buffalo Bills, who plays on Monday night.
So far, Bailey has been credited with 25 total tackles in five games. That includes 17 solo tackles, an excellent number for a pass-rushing outside linebacker.
Most sacks this year among rookies
— PFF (@PFF) October 11, 2026
David Bailey 5.0
Akheem Mesidor 2.5
Dani Dennis-Sutton 1.5
Gabe Jacas 1.5 pic.twitter.com/TgDuP3joe7
It wasn't just the sacks and the tackles that made Bailey's day against the Browns so dominant, though. On 57 snaps, he had seven pressures, four QB hits, and a forced fumble.
That's the type of productivity and disruption the Jets hoped to get when they selected Bailey with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft this past spring. Now, the question among Texas Tech fans is whether Bailey or Rodriguez is the NFL's best defensive rookie.
THIRD sack of the day for David Bailey@CLEvsNYJ on CBS/Paramount+
— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2026
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/QTqQqo79NN
After amassing 11 more tackles on Sunday (in a 31-24 loss to Cincinnati), Rodriguez now has 57 total tackles for the Miami Dolphins. That not only leads all rookies but is close to the NFL's overall lead.
The fact that these two 2025 Texas Tech defensive teammates are already dominating in the NFL is a reminder of how stupendous last season's Red Raider defense was. That unit also included Lee Hunter (a rookie DT for the Carolina Panthers), Skyler Gill-Howard (a rookie DT for the Detroit Lions), and Romello Height (a rookie edge rusher for the San Francisco 49ers).
It's been Bailey and Rodriguez who have made the most noise early in this NFL season, though. Sunday, both had huge performances again, but Bailey's dominance of the Browns drew the most attention and had the NFL world buzzing.
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