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The 2026 NFL Combine workouts began on Thursday, Feb. 26.
While draft hopefuls had spent the start of the week getting measured and going through meetings with teams and the media, Thursday marked the first day when on-field workouts started.
The 40-yard dash is by far the most popular event and for David Bailey Jr, the edge rusher was determined to make the most of his opportunity. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound athlete turned some heads during the first day of the combine by posting an impressive 40-yard dash time.
Here is more on Bailey's speedy 40-yard dash.
MORE: Vinnie Iyer's latest 2026 NFL mock draft
David Bailey Jr. 40 time
Bailey had two attempts at the 40-yard dash, and his first was actually his best. He ran an official 4.50-second 40-yard dash, currently the fastest for the position group. Bailey followed it up with a 4.54-second run on his second attempt.
Texas Tech DL David Bailey, a likely Top 5 pick, runs a 4.51 40 👀pic.twitter.com/1gRWF93TzZ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 26, 2026MORE: Tracking 2026 NFL Combine results
Fastest 40-yard dashes by defensive linemen
Despite how impressive Bailey's 40-yard dash was, it didn't crack the top-10 of the fastest for a defensive lineman.
Here is a look at the top 40-yard dashes for defensive linemen at the NFL Combine.
| Rank | Name | School | 40 Time (seconds) |
| 1 | Amare Barno | Virginia Tech | 4.36 |
| 2 | Nolan Smith | Georgia | 4.39 |
| 3 | Montez Sweat | Mississippi State | 4.41 |
| 4 | Byron Young | Tennessee | 4.43 |
| 5 | Marcus Howard | Georgia | 4.45 |
| 6 | Dallas Turner | Alabama | 4.46 |
| 7 | Sam Williams | Ole Miss | 4.46 |
| 8 | James Pearce Jr. | Tennessee | 4.47 |
| 9 | Chop Robinson | Penn State | 4.48 |
| 10 | Robert Beal Jr. | Georgia | 4.48 |
MORE: Tracking 40-yard dash times at the 2026 NFL Combine
David Bailey Jr. draft projection
In Mel Kiper Jr.'s latest prospect rankings, the draft analyst listed Bailey as the fourth best player in this year's draft. The edge rushing is expected to be one of the first players off the board in April. He is currently mocked to land with the Arizona Cardinals with the third overall pick by Kiper Jr.
Fox Sports' Henry McKenna CBS Sports' Garrett Podell and NFL Network's Lance Zierlein all predict Bailey to go to the Tennessee Titans at No. 4. Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer has Bailey falling out of the top five, going eighth overall to the New Orleans Saints.
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