Jets GM Darren Mougey downplays the team's canceled David Bailey pre-draft visit
FLORHAM PARK, N. J. (AP) — New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey says the team recently canceling its pre-draft visit with top pass rushing prospect David Bailey isn't an indication of waning interest in the Texas Tech star.
The Jets have the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft, which begins Thursday night , and New York has been most commonly linked to selecting either Bailey or Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese to boost its defense. Per NFL rules, teams are allowed to invite up to 30 non-local, draft-eligible players to their facilities for in-depth interviews, film studies and physical evaluations to firm up their scouting reports.
The Athletic first reported last week that the Jets canceled their visit with Bailey. “In regards to David, we had good touch points with him at the combine, we went to his pro day, had a good dinner with him,” Mougey said Tuesday at the team's pre-draft news conference. “We were just kind of juggling our 30 and how to use them and I wouldn't look too much into a cancelation because there were other ones we may have changed, as well.
” Mougey, entering his second season as the Jets' GM, said teams handle their top-30 visits in a variety of ways. “Some don't even use the top-30s,” he said. "I would say, for us, when we do top-30s, every single player and case is different.
Sometimes, I want this player to meet with our player engagement department. Sometimes, I want this player to meet with our sports performance. Sometimes, it's purely medical.