EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY — The New York Jets canceled their scheduled top-30 pre-draft visit with Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey last week, general manager Darren Mougey said at a predraft news conference Tuesday in East Rutherford. He said the cancellation should not be overinterpreted, noting that the team had already completed extensive evaluation of Bailey.

"Sometimes it's a smokescreen," Mougey said of the visits. He said the team uses top-30 visits for medical checks, recruiting, and meetings with departments such as sports performance.

The Jets had touch points with Bailey at the NFL combine and met with him at his pro day last month. The team also had dinner with Bailey and did not feel it needed to meet with him again. The Jets were managing their use of 30 top-30 pre-draft visits.

Teams are limited to having 30 players at their training center for a pre-draft visit. Pre-draft visit invitations vary in motivation, such as addressing team questions about prospects or compensating for limited exposure during the pre-draft process.

Bailey led the FBS with 14.5 sacks last season. The Jets are targeting one of the edge rushers with the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NFL draft, and the team focused on defense in free agency but is still looking for a dynamic front-seven presence.

The Jets own four of the top 44 selections in the 2026 draft, including picks No. 2 and No. 16. The Jets evaluate quarterback prospects by giving them information the night before and assessing their retention, ability to discuss football, and personality fit.

The Jets have selected second overall three times in franchise history, most recently in 2021, when they took quarterback Zach Wilson. In the 2026 draft, New York holds the second overall pick along with three other top-44 selections.