Wesley Bailey, EDGE, Rutgers
Size:
Height: 6’5” | Weight: 255 lbs
Accomplishments:
Three-star recruit
“Wesley Bailey boasts an NFL-ready frame that can rush the passer and defend the run on the edge to slow down opposing offenses.”
Strengths:
Muscular and well-preportioned NFL-ready body
He plays with maximum effort and a red-hot motor
Stonewalling pulling OL in the run game
Concerns:
Unrefined hand fighter and pass rusher
Plays with a high pad level and an exposed chest
He doesn’t play up to his athletic profile
Fully utilizing his arm length/wingspan at point of attack
Film Analysis:
Wesley Bailey is a two-year starter for Greg Schiano’s defense. He aligns as a stand-up outside linebacker, rushing the QB and defending the run. Bailey plays with a red-hot motor and does not give up on plays. He brings energy, leadership, and special teams value.
Bailey is a solid pass rusher with an NFL-ready frame/build. He has good arm length, which creates separation between him and OL with proper extension/stacking. He rushes from a two-point stance and flashes enough get-off to convert speed to power. Bailey can win with suddenness as an inside counter. He flashes the ability to alternate his rush tempo and lull the OL into a compromising position before working across their face knifing into the backfield. Bailey’s motor is one of his best attributes—he plays to the whistle and works nonstop to work past or through his blocker. He is an effective spot dropper into a zone on overload or fire blitz calls.
Against the run, Bailey secures outside leverage fairly well, forcing the ball-carrier to cut the ball back into the teeth of the defense. He does a good job meeting backside pulling OL leading the way for the ball-carrier. With physicality, he stonewalls them and blows up the play before it gets going, forcing the RB to adjust on the fly.
Bailey needs more refined hand techniques to deconstruct blocks quickly and efficiently. He relies heavily on converting speed to power and running through an OL’s chest plate. Instead, he needs to focus on quicker and cleaner wins to create constant pressure and close on some for more sacks. Despite his arm length, Bailey rarely maximizes it. His punches can be late and he plays too close to the OL and doesn’t stack them. This would help him play two gaps effectively on the edges in the run game. He appears to be a functional athlete, but processing seems delayed, slowing down his movements. He plays with a high pad level consistently. It decreases his ability to anchor in the run game with quickness. As a passer rusher, he limits how quick his first step off the ball is—therefore he doesn’t stress the outside shoulder of OTs often.
Bailey has redeeming qualities to buy into. That said, he projects as a role-specific defender in the NFL. If he plays to the level of his frame and physical tools, there is some developmental upside. He is a rotational backup and potential core special teams player.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Role Specific Contributor
Written By: Damian Parson
Exposures: Virginia Tech (2023), Wisconsin (2023), Ohio State (2023), Michigan (2023)
