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Throughout the draft process, you often heard that DE David Bailey, one of the Jets’ three 2026 first-round picks, is a very good pass rusher, but needs work against the run.
Jets coach Aaron Glenn doesn’t agree with the criticism of Bailey’s run defense.
“I never had an issue with his run game, you know, coming out of college,” Glenn said during the Jets’ rookie minicamp. “I know that’s the one thing that everyone has a knock on, and I think everyone tries to pick holes in every player that comes out, but I thought he was well-versed when it came to [stopping the run].”
Glenn added later on in the same press conference: “I have no issue with [Bailey’s] run defense.”
Glenn always has his guys’ backs.
And that is admirable.
However, while we can understand a coach not wanting to be negative about his players publicly, it’s of the utmost importance that behind the scenes, the coaches and player personnel executives deal 100 percent with reality about their players’ strengths and weaknesses.
NFL Network analyst Lance Zierlein was one of those who had some concerns with Bailey’s run defense, writing before the draft:
- Finesse approach against the run due to lack of size/power.
- Can be caved in or torqued out by kick-outs.
- Missing escape strength once he’s stuck on contact.
So the point here is simple.
While Glenn won’t admit it publicly, because he wants to have the kids back in the public square, there is no doubt Bailey needs to improve his run defense.
Sometimes, in the past, it felt like some former Jets coaches would actually believe the public rhetoric they preached in press conferences to protect players.
That is dangerous and can impact the team on the field.
As long as Glenn and his defensive coaches know that Bailey needs to improve against the run, that is all that matters, not what he says publicly.
Robert “Robby” Sabo, who not only covers the team but is an assistant high school football coach, does a great job of breaking down film for the website, Jets X-Factor.
And during the draft, in the press room, he showed me some of his cut-ups of Bailey’s run defense from college, and how he needs to improve in his area.
One issue that was clear is that Bailey must do a better job of stacking and shedding as a run defender, taking on blockers with more force, and shedding them.
Sabo was of the belief, before the draft, that the Jets should have taken Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese second overall, instead of Bailey.
And one of the reasons was that he felt Reese was better against the run.
Sabo showed me some examples of how aggressive Reese is at “putting his face in the fan,” as they like to say in the football world, taking on blockers aggressively and shedding them.
Now, I don’t agree with Sabo that the Jets should have taken Reese instead of Bailey. The Jets’ edge rush last year was substandard. Aside from Will McDonald’s four sacks against Cleveland last year (facing a backup left tackle), the Jets’ edge rush was underwhelming. We can criticize the Jets’ pass coverage last year, and rightfully so, but in their defense, they often had to hold up in coverage way too long due to the team’s anemic pass rush.
The Jets needed to do something to improve their pass rush, and Bailey was the best pass rusher in the draft.
So I have no issue with the pick.
But with that being said, Bailey has a lot of work to do as a run defender.
And while Glenn won’t say that publicly, as long as he realizes that, behind the scenes, that is all that matters.
May 14, 2026
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