Rams Sign Louisville DE Wesley Bailey to UDFA Deal

Bailey was a key piece of the Cardinals' defensive line this past season.

Nov 8, 2025; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals defensive lineman Wesley Bailey (23) reacts after sacking California Golden Bears quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (3) during the second half at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. California defeated Louisville 29-26. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images | Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Wesley Bailey is heading out to the West Coast.

After going unselected in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Louisville defensive end has inked an undrafted free agent deal with the Los Angeles Rams, the program announced Saturday.

Bailey is one of six former Cardinals to sign an undrafted free agent deal following the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft, joining defensive tackle Rene Konga, wide receiver Caullin Lacy, quarterback Miller Moss, center Pete Nygra and linebacker T.J. Quinn. Just one Louisville player was selected in this year's draft, with wide receiver Chris Bell coming off the board in the third round to the Miami Dolphins.

The 6-foot-5, 265-pound edge rusher was a key component of Louisville's defensive line this past season. Starting all 12 regular season games, his 6.0 sacks was second on the team to Clev Lubin, his 7.0 tackles for loss was third behind Lubin and T.J. Quinn, and he finished the year with 39 total tackles (17 solo). He opted out of the Boca Raton Bowl following the end of the regular season.

A native of Ottawa, Canada, Bailey spent the first five years of his collegiate career at Rutgers. He didn't see any in-game action during the 2020 season, and logged just six tackles, 1.5 for loss and a sack in seven games during the 2021 season.

Bailey's breakout season came in 2022, when he started all 12 games for the Scarlet Knights. That year, he had 30 tackles (18 solo), a career-best 8.0 for loss, 3.5 sacks, two pass breakups and three fumble recoveries. The next season in 13 starts, he had 27 tackles (nine solo), 4.5 for loss, 4.0 sacks, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

In 2024, Bailey missed the first six games due to injury, then logged eight tackles, one for loss, a sack and a pass deflection over the next six games. He then sat out the final two to preserve a redshirt, later transferring to Louisville

In his collegiate career, Bailey amassed 110 tackles (48 solo), 22.0 for loss, 15.5 sacks, six pass deflections and four fumble recoveries in 36 games

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(Photo of Wesley Bailey: Jamie Rhodes - Imagn Images)