Bailey or Bain?
By Walter Mitchell
One of the great debates of the 2026 NFL Draft is how to rank the four defensive standouts that are, in alphabetical order: David Bailey (Texas Tech), Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami FL), Arvell Reese (Ohio St.) and Sonny Styles (Ohio St.).
If your team runs a base 3-4, imagine then what this lineup would look like:
SOLB Rueben Bain Jr.
MILB Sonny Styles
WILB Arvell Resse
WOLB David Bailey
Today, we are taking a close look at the top two edge rushers David Bailey and Rueben Bain, Jr.
David Bailey:
Prospect Info
Career Stats:
Tackles: 163 (105 solo), 42 TFL, 29 sacks, 4 PD, 10 FF
Overall PFF Grades last two seasons:
* 93.3 2025 (#1/872 ED) -Texas Tech 💙
* 90.9 2024 (#9/869 ED) - Stanford 💙
Highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAKsu4e_l4I
5 Pass Rushing Traits
* Rushes from a 2-point stance (made to order for 3-4 OLB)
* Often looks like he's running on a downhill ramp to the QB
* Has a keen way of "getting skinny" to slip past tackles on his rush arc
* Closes with cat-like quickness on the QB
* Has an excellent spin move
PFF 2025 Grades:
* Pass Rush: 93.8 💙
* Run Defense: 81.5 💙
* True Set Pass Rush: 94.4 💙
* Pass Rush Win Rate: 21.6% 💙
* Run Stop Rate: 9.0% 💙
nfl.com Next Gen Stats
David Bailey Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com
Prospect Grade
Production Score
Athleticism Score *est
Total Score
RAS Score:
Analysis
Overview
Bailey is extremely hard for linemen to stay in front of. He moves like a slashing two guard, blending explosiveness and fluidity to slip, bend and flow around blocks from multiple angles. His leverage and lower-body flexion create game-over scenarios once he reaches pocket depth with even a minor lead. He can be stalled when a blocker latches his hands in deep, but Bailey’s elusiveness and suddenness make clean clamps a relative rarity. He’s instinctive with natural mid-rush counters, but he must continue developing hand usage and crafting rush plans for when protection shifts his way. Teams can run at Bailey due to his lack of anchor and take-on presence, but his work-around quickness will also lead to tackles for loss. His draft grade is slightly tempered by a lack of desired size/length, but the explosiveness and athletic talent is truly elite. His sack production should carry over to the NFL as an odd-front rush linebacker with Pro Bowl upside.
Strengths
- Possesses rare short-area twitch and reactive agility.
- Makes a lot of plays behind the line of scrimmage.
- Explosive take-off leaves tackle little margin for error out of his stance.
- Widens rush track on second step to create space at the corner.
- Builds speed and momentum as the rush ripens.
- Has the lean, bend and cornering to shrink-wrap the pocket.
- Natural rush instincts with quick reaction to blocker’s pass sets.
- Stacks an outside counter on top of his speed-to-power charge.
- Fights through redirect blocks to stay connected to his track.
- Able to flip hips and shoulders to play quickly around run blocks.
- Runs well and squeezes pursuit angles wide.
Weaknesses
- 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.
- Average recognition of screens and misdirection.
- Hand accuracy on swipes and chops is inconsistent.
- Will need to develop inside counters to exploit oversets.
Sources Tell Us
“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
Prospect Info
* Pass Rush: 92.4 💙
* Run Defense: 86.2 💙
* True Set Pass Rush: 92.4 💙
* Pass Rush Win Rate: 23.5% 💙
* Run Stop Rate: 6.9% 💚
2025 Highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRnj2E3SD0k
Prospect Grade
Production Score
Athleticism Score *est
Total Score
Analysis
Overview
Note taker, grudge holder and block destructor with a compact frame and defensive tackle play strength. Bain is ill-tempered with his take-ons, hitting blockers with heavy hand strikes. He plays through tight ends and can anchor against tackles and double teams. However, his lack of length can lead to him being smothered if he doesn’t land the first strike. He can bend and flip his hips at the top of the rush, swipe away punches and generate a strong bull rush. His playoff run showed an ability to generate quick wins if tackles are passive in setting to him. He can rush off the edge or mismatch guards as a sub-package rusher. Bain’s explosive power and toughness should translate, giving him a high floor as an NFL starter.
Strengths
- Loose hips and violent hands create shorter rush corners.
- Disguises speed-to-power charge, surprising tackles.
- Can stab and shove tackles off-balance, creating inside openings.
- Accurate two-hand swipe batters and clears the punch.
- Power like a defensive tackle with agility like an edge.
- Explodes punch into the chest of blocker.
- Can eat blocks and hold his ground at the point of attack.
- Hands and feet are in full alliance to shed and work around edges.
- Coached by NFL rush aficionado and Hall of Famer, Jason Taylor.
Weaknesses
- Ducks head and drops eyes, driving into run blocks.
- Short arms will get him crowded at the point of attack.
- Average pursuit speed out to the flanks.
- Will take some plays off when action doesn’t come his way.
- Counters don't come naturally at the top of the rush.
- Average closing burst to the quarterback.
You Make the Pick:
If you are the Cardinals' GM and both David Bailey and Rueben Bain Jr. are on the board at #3, which player would you pick?
I am still trying to decide. I want to hear what you think.
Thanks for putting this information together. I have been on fence over these two for last month, I think either would be drastic improvement to our pass rush. I think I am leaning more Bain over Bailey (toughness over finesse) and both look great on tape I've seen. Bailey looks super fast like "Speedy Gonzalez" after a burrito, Bain looks like a brute throwing OG around like their rag dolls.
ReplyDeleteThats my technical analysis.
I am all-in for one of them, either of them, I just do not wish to see a trade back. Lately I've been looking more and more at Sonny Styles who can play WLB and still impact pass rush on passing down - he might be the better play. So I am adjusting to any of three players with #3 pick - no trade backs, no QB, no OT...you get it.
Great comments, Redrun. I just posted a Reese of Styles blog. I am with you on Sonny Styles. He is some kind of special player and athlete. Checks every box, imo.
DeleteI am starting to lean towards Bailey. His length, agility and speed are difficult to pass up. Gets to the QB the fastest of any edge in this draft. But Bain's mystique and bell cow attitude are very appealing.
DeleteIt's such a tough call between the 2. Bailey probably has a higher sack rate as a pro, but Bain probably helps more on run D while still being a good pass rusher. I guess the question is which one is a better complementary piece with Sweat on the opposite side? Which one is more needed to match up with the NFC West offenses? My instinct is that Bain's probably the better fit overall.
ReplyDeleteWhat's cool to think about is how Josh Sweat thrived in PHI with Brandon Graham on the opposite edge. And guess who comps to Brandon Graham? Rueben Bain Jr.!
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