Buccaneers Select Miami Edge Rusher Rueben Bain, Jr. In Round 1
April 23rd, 2026
Raise The Flags!
Sound The Alarm!
The Bucs bagged a talented edge rusher in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The eruption at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters is something to behold. University of Miami edge rusher Reuben Bain, Jr. is the pick, and he’s no Chris Braswell. He’s no Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. He’s no David Walker, either. This guy isn’t the second coming of Anthony Nelson.
Bain is a violent performer and a polished prospect, one who often played like a man among boys last season with the Hurricanes. He turns 22 in September.
Mesidor checks in at 6-2, 263 pounds and he’s a pure edge rusher.
Wanna drool? Consider this scouting summary on Bain from NFL.com.
Note taker, grudge holder and block destructor with a compact frame and defensive tackle play strength. Bain is ill-tempered with his take-ons, hitting blockers with heavy hand strikes. He plays through tight ends and can anchor against tackles and double teams.
However, his lack of length can lead to him being smothered if he doesn’t land the first strike. He can bend and flip his hips at the top of the rush, swipe away punches and generate a strong bull rush. His playoff run showed an ability to generate quick wins if tackles are passive in setting to him. He can rush off the edge or mismatch guards as a sub-package rusher. Bain’s explosive power and toughness should translate, giving him a high floor as an NFL starter.
Yes, Bain is sometimes knocked for short arms. Give Joe short arms all day if the production is there. Bain had 9 1/2 sacks last season and an interception. You know who else has been knocked for having too-short arms compared to the long history of draft picks at his position? Luke Goedeke, the Bucs’ stud right tackle.
Now Bain is a Buccaneer, playing with fellow first-round draft pick defensive tackles Vita Vea (2018) and Calijah Kancey (2023). Bucs fans can no longer say there’s not talent on the defensive front, if it can stay healthy.
And yes, fourth-year Bucs edge rusher YaYa Diaby is dripping with athletic talent, but can the Bucs get him to refine his game and drop QBs rather than dropping in coverage?
Say what you want about this pick. The Bucs upgraded their edge rusher position in a huge way, which wasn’t hard to do.
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:34 pm
great pick
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:35 pm
Licht didn’t screw it up. I am impressed.
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:35 pm
The U
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:35 pm
dang – we got a steal
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:36 pm
Is he that man Licht likes to brag about. Didn’t he get into trouble at UM? Welcome, go kick some ass!
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:36 pm
Wow. What a perfect pick.
Shocking.
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:36 pm
Guy plays lots of snaps. Not long like JPP but driven like him.
Bain stayed home and played for Miami, where NFL Hall of Famer Jason Taylor served as his D-line coach. A consensus All-American as a junior, Bain made his presence felt — especially in the College Football Playoff — and led the FBS in pressures (83), the most by any player in a single season since 2017. However, he also led the FBS in pass-rush snaps (557), 106 more than No. 2 on the list (No. 41 in the FBS in 2025 in pressures per snap).
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:36 pm
Awesome ranch !!!
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:38 pm
Fantastic pick. Bucs absolutely nailed it this time!
Now, will he be allowed to rush the passer- or will he be dropping in Pass coverage!
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:39 pm
Hopefully Bowles don’t drop him into coverage or play him in the slot.😬
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:39 pm
Stone cold killa
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:39 pm
Yes, yes, yes, yes
I love this pick more than any Buc pick ever
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:40 pm
TRex arms
No speed.
LOLOLOL
What a garbage pick
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:41 pm
Absolutely great!!! SEAN SULLIVAN where are you???
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:41 pm
What a wasted pick
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:41 pm
How’d he fall to us?? Hope it works out!
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:41 pm
TREX!
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:41 pm
Meh….not a great pick for a Bowles coached unit. Bowles can’t develop rushers
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:41 pm
Alys trusted Liche it’s Bowles I have issues with.
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:41 pm
A couple of mock draft simulators kept having Bain there at 15 and I thought there was no way, but it fell to us perfectly.
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:41 pm
Hell yeahhhh go bucs
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:41 pm
Oh hell yeah!!!!!!
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:41 pm
Good pick solid we need pass rush help.
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:42 pm
Logan Hall, Cris Braswell, JTS, Rueben Bain.
Another Licht Loser.
Dude is tiny
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:42 pm
DREAM PICK!
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:42 pm
Bain is all business. He’s mad
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:42 pm
You guys are nuts, this guy single handedly got Miami to the championship last year
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:43 pm
Mesidor was the pick until Bain fell. LFG
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:43 pm
You can have a thoroughbred horse and still lose if your jockey is unskilled.
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:43 pm
Didn’t think he would be there at 15. But this kid seems like all business
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:43 pm
BAIN! BAIN! BAIN! BAIN!
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:43 pm
DailyRich Says:
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:41 pm
A couple of mock draft simulators kept having Bain there at 15 and I thought there was no way, but it fell to us perfectly.
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I think the Bucs leaking the news he killed helped him fall in the draft.
Smart move!
I love it, TREX!
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:43 pm
Bruhhh….. let’s see what the kid can do
But leave it up to JL and Bowles to draft an edge with short arms and no 40 time?
Wtf
Would rather have CROSBY
PRETTY SHAKY PICK
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:44 pm
A slow short armed 40 year old, awesome.
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:44 pm
Great pick! Now they need to get either Rodriguez or Hill tomorrow night.
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:44 pm
He meant business that’s warren sapp jr !
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:44 pm
Maybe I Will buy a jersey after all…….!
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:44 pm
I agree Munch someone mentioned that car accident and what 2 careless drivings,
Just get him a driver!
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:45 pm
YES!!!
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:45 pm
Difference between Bain and the trio of Logan Hall, Cris Braswell, JTS, is Bain has actually had production.
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:45 pm
Love it. Who cares if he didn’t run a 40. Who know who had long arms, JTS. How did that work out? Turn the tape on, this dude dominates!
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:45 pm
I can sleep good tonight
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:45 pm
Good job 👍👍 now go get ARod tomorrow
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:46 pm
We finally got our pass rusher
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:46 pm
Steal!
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:46 pm
BigD Says:
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:45 pm
Difference between Bain and the trio of Logan Hall, Cris Braswell, JTS, is Bain has actually had production.
———-
The other guy who Licht drafted that had production? Yaya, who is a really good rusher already trapped in a bad system.
Also we still don’t know about David Walker, if he’s any good, you’re starting to really stack talent.
Love the pick, even if he has TREX arms.
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:46 pm
Where’s the video of Lee throwing his hands in the air as Ira is laughing in the background! 🤣 Let’s hope Lee is 100% wrong with edge rushers and Bowles and pray this is the first one that turns into an all pro from Bowles. Completely understand his worry!
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:46 pm
Let’s all hope Licht is on the phone with Jason Taylor right now…
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:47 pm
Insane!!!
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:47 pm
another hurricane slipping in draft whats next a lb ? the next sapp brooks combo incoming
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:47 pm
Can’t believe he fell to us.
This young man should improve our defense right away.
Now we need a LB, G, and DT!
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:47 pm
Fire Bowles and Fire Licht
Cmon guys really
Why draft a guy with concerns on whether he will translate to the NFL
HOW MANY DLINE PROJECTS ARE U GONNA DRAFT
BRASWELL … JTS … NOW THIS GUY
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:47 pm
Been a Bucs fan since 76, been a Canes fan since the Jim Kelly days… I live in NC now, I told my son that if the Bain is on the board and the Bucs don’t pick him, I was gonna be a Panthers fan for a year… So glad Licht did the right thing
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:47 pm
Bain is pissed he didn’t go top 10. Bucs got another pissed off guy at 12 from Miami who fell in the 95 draft. Remember him? This is a tremendous pick at 15 and every immediate mock drafter for the 1st round will give the Bucs an A.
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:47 pm
Love the pick !!! LFG !!!
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:48 pm
Bain is an absolute game wrecker. Can’t believe he made it to 15
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:49 pm
BAIN delivers PAIN!!
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:49 pm
Looked mad we took him? Or mad he fell so far?
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:49 pm
Bucs already won the first round
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:49 pm
But can he cover wide outs running a post route?
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:49 pm
Sikkema just compared Bains’ play style to Michael Bennett, and it made me pause and say “damn” because that’s a pretty legit comp
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:49 pm
LFG Bucs!!!!!
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:50 pm
Tristian we expose him in practice, JL dropped the ball…..should have went with Sadiq or McCoy
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:50 pm
When he walked on to the stage he looked mad. Bain is gonna make teams regret letting him fall to us. Just can’t let Todd drop him into coverage!
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:51 pm
“I told my son that if the Bain is on the board and the Bucs don’t pick him, I was gonna be a Panthers fan for a year… So glad Licht did the right thing“
Threatening the family, nice 😂 jk
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:51 pm
You know who knows who Bain is? Fernando Mendoza. Bain lit him up like a Christmas Tree 🎄 all game long. Mendoza was bruised all over his body from Bain. Let’s go!
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:52 pm
TAMPA BAIIIIIN!!
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:53 pm
Rodney, I know being contrarian is your shtick, but are you going to mention the arms thing every time you post? It’s already old. Most NFL tackles were collegiate tackles. This guy seemed to have no problem at the collegiate level. Not sure why the arm thing is such a factor at the next level.
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:53 pm
Nick Saban just gave his blessings saying the Bucs got a real.
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:54 pm
Welcome to the Bucs Mr. Bain. Congrats to you, so close to home. Love having another Floridian on board.
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:54 pm
Might as well go get Keionte Scott now
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:54 pm
Anyone who doesn’t like this pick has no clue about football.
Guy is the best all around edge in the draft after Bailey. Total beast who plays the run as well as he sacks the QB.
To get Bain at 15 is a steal!!
Haven’t had a edge like this in Tampa in a long time.
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:55 pm
Held my breath, and my shot of tequila, and then BAM. Love the Pick. This guy is all business. Instant plug-In. Our defense got better.
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:56 pm
I don’t want to hear any JTS comparisons Jarrett. Bain is a dog who showed up on the biggest stages. He is polished not a project like braz. I don’t trust JL to draft edge players but Bain will work out, should of been top 5-10 pick.
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:56 pm
HeaveE please!!!
McCoy or a TE over Bain???
Total idiot
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:57 pm
Best case scenario was this. Second best was trading down.
I’ll take the win.
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:57 pm
Steven007 Says:
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:53 pm
Rodney, I know being contrarian is your shtick, but are you going to mention the arms thing every time you post?
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I’m literally mocking the people that care about arm length.
I really like the pick. But TREX is just an awesome nickname.
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:58 pm
I’m not worried about the reach, because Bain fights with his hands very well, which is something that not many guys do coming out. He’s going to be a monster.
GO BUCS!!
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:58 pm
Hard to even take some of these negative comments seriously.
Bunch of uniformed kids, clueless morons or trolls.
Only explanation for complaining about picking Bain
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:59 pm
Bowles will find several ways to confuse him, paralyze him and ruin him by game 7
Poor dude.
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:01 pm
I pitty the fool.
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:01 pm
Okay, thanks for the clarification rod. I actually think it’s a cool name too. To be honest. Thought you were passive aggressively hating on the pick.
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:03 pm
Jugheadfla2 Says:
April 23rd, 2026 at 9:39 pm
Stone cold killa
——–
I feel like we could choose different words given, you know…
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:03 pm
Steven007 Says:
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:01 pm
Okay, thanks for the clarification rod. I actually think it’s a cool name too. To be honest. Thought you were passive aggressively hating on the pick.
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No, not at all, the pick is great! I just embrace the nonsense – sell some merch, embrace the T-REX nickname.
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:04 pm
“like a man among boys” that is my motto for first round picks Joe.
Watched Big John Matuszak destroy some top shelf college O linemen in the Lions All American Bowl at the Sombrero. He absolutely could not be blocked. He kinda set the standard in my mind right then. Gotta absolutely dominate college players.
Welcome aboard Rueben!
Go Buc!
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:04 pm
Let’s Go Bucs Love this Pick can’t believe this We got Bain what I love most is he has Nastiness an Attitude
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:04 pm
Awesome pick!!!
If you don’t realize that, you don’t know football. Best defensive player in this draft imo and was the dream pick! Disrupter!
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:05 pm
The t-Rex ideas make me chuckle. Doubtful dude has tha kindof sense of humor especially when he’s getting Bowlesified, taught to drop into empty zones where no pass catchers reside and whiffing tackles at an accelerating rate.
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:06 pm
“Yes, the fire rises!!”
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:09 pm
Hey Fan, you are such a tough guy on a web site, calling me an idiot! Keep on being tough……..
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:14 pm
Mesidor checks in at 6-2, 263 pounds and he’s a pure edge rusher? Huh?
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:14 pm
“Hurricane” is a great pickup. Great attitude – just keep reminding him that nobody believed in him except for the Bucs. Licht needs to find a house for Jason Taylor, then find an ILB in rd2. Hurricane will be even better in the ’27 season after Bowels is gone.
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:19 pm
Great job JL
GO BUCS
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:19 pm
3.28.Evans Says:
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:05 pm
The t-Rex ideas make me chuckle. Doubtful dude has tha kindof sense of humor
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Yeah, he’ll stomp it out the way Doug Martin hated on the Muscle Hamster. Think of all the merch he could have moved if he just went with it. You never fight the market.
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:19 pm
Now draft r mason thomas boomer!!!
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:19 pm
Heavy… He’s not being a tough guy, he’s calling out an idiotic take. I didn’t want to waste my breath doing the same but I guess I’ll pile on here. Silly stuff man.
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:23 pm
Was on board with mesidor if he was what we had to pick from. But more and more I think his success was based on the attention paid to Ruben.
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:29 pm
Rod it’s brilliant. If I had any faith at all in any part of the Bucs organization I might think they’d do it. Darcy Glazer will find some reason why it’s offensive to short armed persons.
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:30 pm
Rod it’s brilliant. If I had any faith at all in any part of the Bucs organization I might think they’d do it. Someone will find some reason why it’s offensive to short armed persons.
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:31 pm
There is a reason, and we all know that reason, why Bain fell to #15. After ramming into a car from behind, in April of 2024, and a young lady lost her life, he went ahead and settled with the driver of the car he hit and 10 weeks after the wreck the careless driving charges were dropped. 2 weeks later the young woman, who was in a coma, died. So in October of 2025 (5 months ago) he gets charged with careless driving again. Somehow the citation was called faulty and dropped. During Miami’s very successful season. Talk about rolling the dice. I’m hoping for the best for the young man. I wouldn’t have touched him with a 10 ft. Pole.
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:32 pm
Give a rest Ironlung you are not fooling anyone with the name change you talk about Bowels the same way no matter your name go find another team to root for
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:34 pm
Best d lineman in college football last year
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:36 pm
The other things is comment is unfair. Bowles had a guy with 20 sacks a few years ago. Its the player. Sorry Dave pear.
I pity whoever tries to stop this kind from playing defense his way.
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:36 pm
Kenton Smith – Young men getting into traffic accidents is just unfortunate. The girls family literally said it was just an accident, wished him the best.
When I grew up and started driving, which was in the early 90s, it was basically a Dukes of Hazzard episode every single day – I’m shocked none of us got killed considering we all drove old 70s muscle cars on dirt roads, ran from the cops, went out smashing mail boxes, all the fun stuff you could do when you weren’t in a police state like today where every action is being recorded by someone.
Anywho, some kid speeding and getting into an accident – it happens. Not worried about it if it was a one off.
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:37 pm
Woodman – go hug your stuffy bear and blow me a kiss. I changed my handle in protest of the obvious. Call me whatever you want, you’ll still be you.
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:39 pm
Mveal2006 Says:
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:36 pm
The other things is comment is unfair. Bowles had a guy with 20 sacks a few years ago. Its the player. Sorry Dave pear.
I pity whoever tries to stop this kind from playing defense his way.
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The 2019/2020 Bucs defense with Arians as HC was ultra aggressive, played up at the line, ran aggressive coverage – that allowed Shaq to have time to get to QBs. Shaq obviously did his part, but if Shaq was playing in this current Bowles defense, he’d have 6.5 sacks and people would be demanding he was replaced.
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:51 pm
Anyone in here that doesn’t like Bain must not have watched a single Canes game the past 4 years – or even paid attention at all to any FHSAA games in which he dominated at Miami Central, winning 4 titles there and amassing 77 sacks. Selected to every single Frosh All-American team. Missed 4 games as a Soph and still was All-ACC Honorable Mention. ACC Defensive POY this past year. All-ACC First Team. Ted Hendricks winner for best DE in the nation. Consensus All-American First Team. Have you even seen what the guy looks like? He’s 22 but looks like a pissed off 40 year old grizzly man. I don’t even think he gets a haircut ,but just pulls out chunks of it once in a while with his paws. He doesn’t give a sh*t about looks or being a Instagram selfie-primadonna. Kid is like a wild boar with rabies that is hopped up on cocaine, coming off the line.
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:52 pm
Rod, spot on.
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:56 pm
Just happy it was not the tight end
April 23rd, 2026 at 10:58 pm
Its kinda,like that girl you have a crush on in H S…you see her years later …those feelings start up.once again .. Thinking ” I’M SO DAMN LUCKY THIS FEEL INTO MY LAP .” There is a reason other NFL TEAMS passed on BAIN….A SOLID DEPENDABLE PLAYER DOES NOT FALL IN THE DRAFT …………..unless there is a,reason why………….( I really hope Bain can help this team this year ).
April 23rd, 2026 at 11:05 pm
Hurricane Bain about to hit in Tampa Bay!!!! Bain the Pain in the rain will be insane!!