Jason Licht Wasn’t Expecting A Present From Santa In Round 1
April 24th, 2026
Christmas came early for the Bucs.
Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht didn’t come right out and say it, but he and his staff were a little caught off guard that pass rusher Rueben Bain, the Miami Mauler, fell in their lap last night.
“Yeah, absolutely,” Licht said when asked if his first-round raft pick was just too good to pass on.
“We think very highly of him, obviously, we think he’s a great player.
“There were very few scenarios where we thought he’d be there, but there [were] scenarios, and we’re very excited. [I] probably have never seen a more excited draft room.”
“Very few” means Licht and his staff thought there was barely a prayer Bain would be there at No. 15.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles likes to say you go for best player available in the first round and in the second round, you attack needs. So it seems the Bucs got both the best player available and the greatest need. That doesn’t often happen.
What does Licht like so much about Bain?
“I love that he’s very unique where he’s got a great blend of power and athleticism,” Licht said. “He can bend, he’s got get-off, he’s very powerful, he’s got very explosive not just athleticism, but powerful hands, powerful strength and he plays very edgy. He plays with a chip on his shoulder.”
Licht made it a point to get more violent players on the defense, and boy was Licht right about that. The Bucs were a soft, quitting defense last year. That defense badly needed some a-holes.
Joe’s not saying Bain is an a-hole but he plays like one.
"At what point did the lack of length in his arms prevent him from being effective in college football?"@BMac_SportsTalk on Rueben Bain Jr. 👀 pic.twitter.com/PRUdKvVTz9
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) February 26, 2026
April 24th, 2026 at 4:32 am
Oh i can tell, Bain will def be playing with even more of a chip on his shoulders now….he wasnt happy when he was drafted that far down, and i cant blame him. But at least he touched our logo while walking out that hall. That showed me he wasnt mad at us, just mad at those who passed on him. I never considered him because he might make it to 7 or 8 at most….but here we are.
April 24th, 2026 at 5:50 am
Your reference to the Miami Mauler remined me right away of the Missouri Mauler.
Well sure I hope Bain plays like the the Missouri Mauler did taped fist matches back in the 70’s lol He was a problem for anyone lol
I Can hear Gordon Solie calling a Match between MM and Dusty Rhodes now lol
Thank God they drafted this guy and hopefully many more of his ilk, they are need on the Defense.
April 24th, 2026 at 6:36 am
It reminds me of the real #93. The acquisition of Suh brought respect for our dline.
Too bad we have a RINSE AND REPEAT scheme. Makes me want to throw up just thinking about Todd making him drop back and cover. SMH
April 24th, 2026 at 7:23 am
Baking with Robinson, all defenses do that, not just Todd.
And you guys like to credit Arians for the Superbowl defense, but Arians was strictly hands-off the defense.
When Bowles has good edge rushers, he uses them right.
April 24th, 2026 at 7:40 am
Good point, Buccaneer Bonzai. Bowles was lauded for the superior defense he fielded in our last Superbowl win.
April 24th, 2026 at 7:52 am
“This is Gordon Solie saying so long from the sunshine state”. The best.
April 24th, 2026 at 7:58 am
” college tackles and pro tackles are entirely different”… How so? All NFL tackles were college tackles! Doesn’t even make sense. Yes, the best tackles from college will be in the pros. Same thing on defense.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:05 am
I tired a bunch of different mock draft simulators over the past week a lot of them had Bain falling to us.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:16 am
Razzor I was thinking the same thing…
Steven007, absolutely right and those same offensive lineman he beat in college are going to the NFL too what is the difference? It’s the experience the pro’s have at this moment, not the rookies coming in.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:17 am
Some of these “pundits” love to hear their own voice. There are WAY too many clowns with mic’s that should be outlawed or taken away. The old Mr. Microphone commercials, LOL
April 24th, 2026 at 8:27 am
These people are dumb sometimes. So offensive tackles come out of college and they grow monkey arms or is he playing the same types he’ll play in the NFL only they’re larger. Hey Chris brasswell arm reach is perfect for a pass rusher😂
April 24th, 2026 at 8:35 am
Rams did us a HUGE FAVOR by taking a QB lol…
i thought Bain on the LAR wouldve made them instant SB favorites…
Thanks Les and Sean lol
GO BUCS!!!!
April 24th, 2026 at 8:47 am
Draft the BPA in round 2 also.
We have wasted many 2nd round picks over the years.
Trask, Braswell, Banks, Hall, and more!
Be smart!
Draft the best player available.
We have many needs!
April 24th, 2026 at 9:45 am
Jason Licht has been atrocious in the 2nd round, just to name a few:
Aguayo, ASJ, MJ Stewart, Noah Spence, Ronald Jones, Kyle Trask
April 24th, 2026 at 10:08 am
Ya know Sapp should take Bain under his wing for some tutoring the “U” mentality needs to stick around and not get watered down Sapp can make sure of that! GO BUCS!!!
April 24th, 2026 at 10:09 am
Teacherman Says:
April 24th, 2026 at 8:47 am
Draft the BPA in round 2 also.
We have wasted many 2nd round picks over the years.
Trask, Braswell, Banks, Hall, and more!
Be smart!
Draft the best player available.
We have many needs!
——————-
Thanks for the constant dumb insight… for every Braswell we have a Carlton Davis, Winfield, Ronald Jones, Marpet, Mauch, Donovan Smith, and if you wanna go old school and throw the Banks pick out there, I can go old school and include David… Alstott.
April 24th, 2026 at 10:57 am
You could tell how surprised he was at first thought he was nervous because he knows this must pan out. But he genuinely was prepared more for the reality of him being gone and likely taking Mesidor it so funny lol how shocked he was
April 24th, 2026 at 11:10 am
Joe says this “The Bucs were a soft, quitting defense last year. That defense badly needed some a-holes.” They got that in spades with this Ruben Bain pick.
April 24th, 2026 at 1:09 pm
Football gods dropped one in JL’s lap. Fortunately he held his water and didn’t waste a pick to move up. Rubber meets the road now. He won’t get another layup. Next couple of picks are crucial. Offensive players dominated the 1st round so there are many quality defensive players left. A trade up to get another 2nd rounder couldn’t hurt. Earn your paycheck JL.
April 24th, 2026 at 2:29 pm
Two Things on Baine:
1. Licht is evolving. All the Edges JL has drafted have been long and fast (Simeone Rice). He broke the mold and went with stout and strong. Nice to see.
2. Baine reminds me a bit of Jared Verse. I really wanted Verse last year, so I’m pumped to get Baine.