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David Bailey flies to New York.
The JETS selected the Texas Tech stud with the second pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and is now the favorite to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award next season.
Let’s take a look at the initial odds board on DraftKings Sportsbook as of April 24.
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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 should know about the odds board:
Jetset: Bailey was a unanimous All-American last season for the Red Raiders, recording 14.5 sacks, best in Division 1, and 19.5 tackles for loss, best in the Big 12. Said FOX Sports NFL analyst Rob Rang of the Jets’ selection: “By finishing last in the AFC in sacks, the Jets made the right decision in adding this year’s best pass rusher. Bailey’s burst and bend off the edge is elite. He’s a realistic Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate who projects as a difference-maker with 10-plus sacks per year.”
Betting on Buckys: Three Ohio State Buckeyes went in the first seven picks, including linebacker Arvell Reese at No. 5 and linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 7. Said Rang of Reese: “This is an intriguing pick for the Giants, as Reese gives the Giants a trio of edge rushers as formidable as there is in the NFL, teaming, of course, with recent top-10 picks Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux. The ability to Reese 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 tremendous flexibility and unlike some of the coaches who overlooked Reese, Harbaugh has the confidence to give him time to develop.” Regarding Styles, Rang said: “Both in Seattle and more recently in Washington, Dan Quinn was fortunate to have future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner at middle linebacker. Surprisingly, 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; Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher comes to mind. Washington needed to find an alpha on defense and Styles should prove it immediately.”
