David Bailey LB/EDGE Stanford | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
David Bailey LB/EDGE Stanford
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 05/02/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.52 seconds (92%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.8 DOB: 08/28/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB | |
| Last Updated: 05/02/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 4.52 seconds (92%*) | |
| Age: 21.8 DOB: 08/28/2003 | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 85.0 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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80% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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73% |
| Pass Rush: |
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100% |
| Run Defense: |
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65% |
| Coverage: |
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91% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#73
Position rank:
#8
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| College Games: 34 College Snaps: 1142 | ||
ESPN RATING: 83/100
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247 RATING: 97/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.9 (97%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Derick Hall - Auburn |
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82% |
| Dallas Turner - Alabama |
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75% |
| Chris Braswell - Alabama |
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72% |
Draft Profile: Bio
David Bailey, born in Orange, California, emerged as a standout defensive end at Mater Dei High School. As a senior, Bailey racked up 54 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, and 15.5 sacks, leading Mater Dei to a perfect 12-0 record and the California State Championship Open Division title. His dominance earned him California Defensive Player of the Year honors and a spot in the 2022 All-American Bowl.Bailey carried his success to Stanford, where he made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2022. Appearing in 11 games with 9 starts, he tallied 46 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hurries, and 2 forced fumbles. His performance earned him a spot on the 247Sports True Freshman All-American Defense team and Stanford's Outstanding Freshman Award.
In his sophomore campaign in 2023, Bailey continued to excel despite playing in only 10 games. He led the Cardinal with 6 tackles for loss and 5 sacks, while recording 34 total tackles. Bailey's standout performance came in the season opener against Hawaii, where he notched 6 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks - the most by a Stanford player since 2014.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Super athletic - Made Bruce Feldman's 2023 Freak's List at #68. He Wrote: "The 6-3, 245-pound sophomore has hit 20.53 mph in 20 yards with a 5.5 meters/second peak acceleration. The economics major also had no trouble doing a 550-pound back squat this offseason. “That dude is so fast and so explosive,” says Stanford inside linebacker Tristan Sinclair. “Whether he’s squatting 225 pounds or 500-plus, the tempo and the speed is identical. There is no strain in his face. It is pure power.”"
- Twitchy edge rusher with a lightning-quick get-off, consistently winning the snap and penetrating the backfield
- Exceptional hip flexibility and ankle bend allow for tight cornering when attacking the pocket
- Refined hand-fighting techniques to stack and shed blockers, maintaining leverage through contact
- Scheme versatile with the ability to play as a 4-3 DE or stand-up 3-4 OLB in multiple fronts
- Hot motor player who plays through the whistle and shows relentless backside pursuit
- Displays football IQ when dropping into coverage, maintaining proper depth and reading QB eyes
- Sure tackler with a wide tackle radius, wraps up consistently and drives through ball carriers
- Year-over-year production indicates a steep developmental curve and high football character
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Undersized frame for an NFL edge at 245 pounds, lacking ideal length to consistently set the edge
- Despite impressive lower body strength, struggles to anchor against double teams in run defense
- Pass rush plan needs expansion; over-reliant on athleticism without a developed counter move arsenal
- Can be washed out by down blocks, needs to improve technique to reset the line of scrimmage
- Over-pursuit tendency leaves him susceptible to misdirection plays and creates cutback lanes
Scouting Report: Summary
A high-ceiling, low-floor prospect with the tools to become an impact player at the next level. His elite first-step quickness and ability to flatten to the QB translate immediately to passing situations. Scheme fit will be crucial; best utilized in a multiple front defense that can maximize his versatility and mask his current limitations against the run.While his frame presents challenges, his motor and developmental trajectory suggest potential for growth into an every-down player. His coverage drops add dimension to his game, offering defensive coordinators flexibility in sub-packages. Production against top-tier collegiate competition indicates his skill set can translate to Sunday's, but technique refinement is necessary for consistent success.
Draft stock hinges heavily on pre-draft athletic testing and medical evaluations. If he maintains his explosiveness while adding functional strength, his ceiling rises significantly. A strong showing in agility drills and the 40-yard dash could cement his status as a day two selection with starter upside in the right system.
Written By:
Lennox Tate
How other scouting services rate David Bailey (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
65.3
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
7.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.