Comparing David Bailey to Brian Burns


By Walter Mitchell

Note: there are 3 very short videos to click on in this blog. To get the full picture, please watch the videos.

My good friend Jace posted this shout out to David Bailey on social media this morning:

Jace
@AzJace
Cardinals on the Clock - Episode #1: David Bailey | EDGE | Texas Tech Per NFL Mock Draft Database⬇️ Consensus Rank: 3rd Amount of mocks times mocked to the Cardinals over the last 2 weeks: 23 (1st) 2025 season per PFF⬇️ Pass Rush Grade: 93.8 (1st) | Win%: 21.6%🚀 True Pass Set Pass Rush Grade: 94.4 (1st) | Win%: 38.6%🚀 Pressures: 81 (2nd) Sacks: 15 (1st)🚀 Hits: 23 (1st)🚀 Hurries: 43 (5th) Strengths: -Explosiveness, get off and burst off the line of scrimmage & in his first step -Elite Production including seven forced fumbles over the last two seasons and an elite 41.6Win% in True Pass Sets over the last 2 seasons -Won with multiple pass rush moves: double-swipe, cross-chop, hook and stab-chop -Plays with juice and violence -Pursuit speed and closing burst -Speed to power and spin move🔥 Weaknesses: -Not a consistent run defender (however did improve from 2024), will need help around him and could only be a DPR worst case -Shows some tightness in his ankles and hips -Double swipe needs work to be more effective and needs to improve hand accuracy What does the league think? “Best rusher in the draft. No doubt. But I worry about his size and toughness. If you are taking him high, you need him to play on all three downs.” – AFC executive Pro comparison: Chop Robinson-Nik Bonito

Click here for video highlights:

https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/2033863046326849537/vid/avc1/1920x1080/NjE8aeiizKS7IwPJ.mp4?tag=21

Nik Bonitto, Chop Robinson...or Brian Burns?

While the most recent NFL player comps for Dvid Bailey have been Chop Robinson and Nik Bonitto, I believe a strong case can be made for comparing the Texas tech All-American to the New York Giants' Brian Burns.

In studying Brian Burns' draft profile alongside of Davis Bailey's here are the numbers:

* Burns --- Bailey

* Height: 6'5" --- 6'4"
* Weight: 249 --- 251
* Arm Length: 33 7/8 --- 33 3/4"
* Hand Width: 10 --- 10 1/4
* Production: 83 --- 98
* Athleticism: 80 --- 80
* 40 Time: 4.53 --- 4.50
* 10 Yard Split: 1.57 --- 1.62
* Vertical: 36" --- 35"
* Broad: "10'9" --- 10'9"
* Last College Season Games: 12 --- 14
* Tackes: 47 (37 solo) --- 52 (32 solo)
* Tackles For Loss: 15.5 --- 19.5
* Sacks: 10 --- 14.5
* Pressures: 66 --- 81
* Forced Fumbles: 3 --- 3
* Run Defense Garde: 76.8 --- 81.5
* Pass Rush Grade: 90.4 --- 93.8
* Prospect Grade: 6.70 --- 6.78

Brian Burns PFF Draft Profile with Steve Palazzolo and Mike Renner, click here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piFreAe96wg

ESPN College Highlights of Brian Burns, click here:

https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/26462831

I believe the Burns and Bailey comp has credence.

Do you?

Imagine this:

Brian Burns' NFL career sacks to date (in 7 seasons): 71
Brian Burns' Pro Bowls: (3), 2021, 2022, 2025


Comments

  1. Since 61March 17, 2026 at 8:56 AM

    Yes I do. Our defense lacks pure speed off the edge. Bailey’s 4.50s 40-yard dash was the fastest among all defensive linemen at the Combine, making him the more explosive option (than Bains). He's an immediate plug-and-play starter who can make a "Day 1" impact.

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