Ben Solak Has Advice For Jason Licht: Go Get Rueben Bain
April 18th, 2026
Miami edge Rueben Bain.
Trigger alert!
“This Joe” senses a growing swell of frustration, bordering on hostility, that some folks want Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht run out of Florida.
Why someone wants to chase off a guy who has proven he can build a Super Bowl winner as well as a team that, at worst, competes each year, is beyond Joe’s comprehension.
Hey, former Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik isn’t working in the NFL currently. Maybe that’s what folks want? He did draft Lavonte David and Gerald McCoy, after all!
Ben Solak of ESPN seems to be a Licht, lauding lauding Licht’s drafting acumen, specifically on offense. But Solak believes since Licht appeared disinterested in Maxx Crosby and apparently Trey Hendrickson was spooked by Mike Evans turning his nose up on the team — taking a pay cut to pay taxes through his nose and lie on an airplae bed during 49ers’ road trips.
So, since Licht was not fond (enough) of available established pass-rushing savants this past spring, Solak said it’s time for Licht to hit a home run with an edge rusher Thursday night
. Solak types, Licht either needs to do the unthinkable and trade a draft pick to move up to get Rueben Bain, or pull an Al Davis and muddy the waters to a point that Bain looks so shady that he will fall in the draft to No. 15 where the Bucs currently pick.
… Defensively, it’s a different story. The roster is full of homegrown players, but with far less success. Chris Braswell was a miss at pass rusher and YaYa Diaby is only a strong rotational player, leaving the Bucs without a ringer of a pass rusher. They didn’t get involved on Maxx Crosby or Trey Hendrickson but now suddenly need a splashy sack artist at No. 15. Will Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami) fall all the way to them? It’s unlikely, but with a small trade-up, Licht might be able to snag him. Of course, recent reporting from The Read Optional details Bain’s off-field concerns that might impact his positioning on Tampa Bay’s board. And Licht rarely trades up in the first round. Since he became general manager in 2014, he has traded up once — and it was from No. 14 to No. 13.
And that trade up, let’s not forget, landed the Bucs a likely Hall of Fame tackle, Tristan Wirfs.
(Twice when Licht has had an out-of-body experience and traded away a draft pick — gasp! — Licht landed Jason Pierre-Paul and Wirfs, two franchise landmark acquisitions.)
Solak typed Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk is unacceptable if the Bucs are serious about returning to the playoffs in 2026. And Solak has his doubts about Bain teammate Akheem Mesidor.
And if Bain is gone by No. 15 and Licht won’t let loose of a draft pick to trade up, Solak has a suggestion for Licht:
Call the Vikings and work a deal for Jonathan Greenard.
Hey, Licht stole JPP from the Giants for a measly third-round pick. And that move was a turning point for the franchise. Three seasons later, JPP was bawling all over a Vince Lombardi Trophy. Wirfs’ value cannot be overstated.
If Licht can do it twice, he can do it again. The question is, does he want to?
Rueben Bain Jr. 1 SCK, 2 TFL, 4 TKL vs Ohio State College Football Playoff Quarterfinal 2025.
WHO DRAFTS BAIN?pic.twitter.com/p0LcP1eHz8
— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) March 26, 2026
Where is Rueben Bain going in first round?
We discussed at the FFCA! pic.twitter.com/opM95akbFe
— Jon Gruden (@BarstoolGruden) April 17, 2026
April 18th, 2026 at 8:12 am
Pass on Bain. Seems there might be something wrong with his life decisions. Drop back in the draft, pick up a couple of mid round picks and go get Kayden McDonald and then R Mason Thomas.
April 18th, 2026 at 8:25 am
If a GM brings in good players but the coaching staff fails them…..
If the GM brings in great players but the coaching staff drives them away…..
If ownership doesn’t want to pay market price to keep a player or bring established players….
If team morale and effort declines….
If public sentiment goes negative…..
Who’s fault is it ?
It all starts at the top.
April 18th, 2026 at 8:26 am
Before drafting Bain teams should meet with the family of that poor girl that died in his car last year…
I don’t know man I would steer clear of this dude – karma is for real yo.
April 18th, 2026 at 8:27 am
Mesidor would be more realistic for Licht. He could probably trade down and pick up Mesidor. I have a feeling Licht goes BPA and ends up with Sadiq. He’s been stuck on the Oregon Ducks. lol.
April 18th, 2026 at 8:29 am
Yeah Bain in Tampa would be another tragedy waiting to happen. He needs to be playing in Green Bay. lol.
April 18th, 2026 at 8:33 am
Lt. Dan If they can trade back and do that it would be a win-win fer shure.
April 18th, 2026 at 8:37 am
Faulk just gives you all the reasons to be excited and all the reasons to be wary wrapped in one package. You can’t take that gamble if your Bowles/Licht at this current juncture.
I’d rather have Mesidor at #15 (even with the recurring foot/ankle injury history) than this scenario w/ Bain either way
If we are trading up at all – even though trading down seems far more likely – just go get Sonny Styles. Not Rueben Bain.
April 18th, 2026 at 8:37 am
I agree with all of what Solak just said except Greenard is and was not the only solution. There were young ILB galore available in early FA and the best JL could do was 30year old Anzalone. Not that he is a bad pick up, but Bush, LLoyd, Chenal, Edmunds and others were available and the prices were not outrageous. Edge rusher is not the be all end all solution. Hoarding picks with a 50/50 win rate at best is not always the best approach. Resigning all your picks for 20 mil a year is not the solution either. 5 years of digging out from dead cap disaster from the Brady superbowl sent right down the drain by the current over-paying mismanagement. Bucs have more guys making 20mil or more than any team in the NFL. We should be loaded with cap room, but are right at the limit. Sure shows up in the win loss column – as losses. All past respect for JL is now gone. Draft is his last chance to pull us out of his fire or firing.
April 18th, 2026 at 8:43 am
Bain will be gone. The kid made a very stupid mistake by driving like an idiot. I see kids, grown adults doing it daily. Most get lucky to not have an accident happen like the one Bain was involved in. But when it comes to football the guy is an absolute beast.
JL wont trade up unless Bain falls to 12 or lower. Too much to give up.
April 18th, 2026 at 8:43 am
Bain went to the Tiger Woods’ driving school. Not exactly “I am that Man”.
April 18th, 2026 at 8:48 am
@ reality: There is no tape, no production to remotely suggest Faulk is anything other than a “measurable” player. He is not a first round pick and he would have to be developed and we all know how that goes around here. Smells like Brasswell all over again. Messidore is the safe option as he already knows how to be a good edge player with lots of experience and production. Probably the best choice based on this current defensive staff
April 18th, 2026 at 9:11 am
Has he had any incidents since the accident? Not throwing the young man’s future away for an accident, they happen.
April 18th, 2026 at 9:24 am
Yes, he had a second one where noone was injured. Was charged again with Careless Driving butthe charges dissappeard.
April 18th, 2026 at 9:28 am
Bain has already worked out something with the deceased girls’ parents.
April 18th, 2026 at 9:30 am
Bucs could have signed HOF edge Khalil Mack , but did not.
April 18th, 2026 at 9:30 am
1) If he’s there at#15 the Bucs should take him. I doubt he’ll still be there though.
2) Don’t trade up for him though.
3) I prefer to trade back and get extra picks in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.
4) The best value is from 20-60. Multiple good DE and ILB candidates available from 20-40.
5) There is very good value from 60-100. Multiple DT, CB, G, TE and WR available here with some falling into the 4th rd.
April 18th, 2026 at 9:31 am
@Badbucs, spot on! Let’s not forget that the 5 yr dig out of Brady’s contract would not have been so painful if JL didn’t, very unprofessionally, get caught up in the emotion of the moment and resign all 22 starters. Evolve or become extinct. That Dodo cannot afford to lay an egg this draft
April 18th, 2026 at 9:32 am
We don’t draft positions of need especially when it’s the best player available.
It’s not who our gm is
April 18th, 2026 at 9:45 am
He’ll be gone probably to the Ravens. They like giving 2nd chances…
April 18th, 2026 at 10:00 am
In what areas is Bain superior to Mesidor?
Anyhow I hope both Bain and Sadiq are gone by 15
April 18th, 2026 at 10:09 am
Forget about it, we don’t have the draft capital from this draft to trade up and why would you trade away future draft picks as well? I would rather they try to focus on Messidor if they want a pass rush while also thinking about the immediate benefit of his services and forget all the 2nd contract nonsense. People like Todd Bowles don’t have the luxury of thinking 5 years ahead. It’s win now and go deep into the playoffs or start updating your resume.
April 18th, 2026 at 10:17 am
BAIN!
Now THAT IS the Monster WE NEED!
April 18th, 2026 at 10:24 am
What a motor on this guy and Yes…. He IS a football player! He will take over games in his career. That’s not even the question…
To Win Bain, Licht will have to go after him like Bain goes after a qb’s.
ALL OR NOTHING IS THE ONLY WAY.. I doubt Licht has the stomach, and I Sure wonder about the balls to GO AFTER HIM AND TAKE HIM.
If you’re the purely money motivated Glazers, think of the revenues Bain IS GOING TO bring in. ESPECIALLY A STARVING FAN BASE SUCH AS TAMPA BAY’S!!! WOW!
April 18th, 2026 at 10:31 am
NO!