NFL.com: Rueben Bain Atop “Losers” Category For First Round Picks
April 25th, 2026
Soft-spoken, not disappointed.
Well, someone out there is feeling badly that the Miami Mauler, Bucs defensive lineman Rueben Bain, lost so much salary money Thursday night that he is the No. 1 loser for all first-round picks.
That’s what Eric Edholm of NFL.com believes. But he seems to be basing this on nonsense, at least in part.
Edhold typed that disappointment in Bain’s voice in his on-stage NFL Network interview last night after the Bucs drafted him made it clear Bain was upset at falling to Tampa Bay.
1) Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: It wasn’t hard to detect the disappointment in Bain’s voice when he was interviewed onstage after being picked 15th overall.
Yes, he’s in for an easy move to Tampa from his native Miami, and he’s likely going to be an instant contributor for a Bucs team that needed to juice up its rush. But while it might have been a win for Todd Bowles’ squad to land the prospect, it was a tough fall for Bain, who was roundly projected to go somewhere in the top 12 overall. That drop might have cost him upward of $10 million in guaranteed salary, even if it was only by a handful of selections.
Bain’s decision not to work out before the draft might have hurt his stock, but I suspect his arm length was the biggest factor. It’s not just that his arms are short — at 30 7/8 inches, they’re historically so, at least as far as first-round picks go.
To be clear, he lands in this category only because of the money-loss/draft-disappointment factor. …
It’s true Bain lost money last night but if he plays well, he will easily make up that money with his second Bucs contract.
But Joe finds it ridiculous to judge Bain as disappointed because of his draft-night voice. Folks, that’s how Bain talks. You can barely hear the guy. He needs to walk around with a megaphone.
In a sidebar session with Bain this afternoon in the Bucs’ media workroom, Joe sat no more than five feet away from Bain and couldn’t hear him. Joe had to listen to a recording of Bain just to understand his answers.
In person, Bain seems chomping at the bit to get on the practice field. He’s already in touch with a few Bucs players, present and past, wanting to quickly become part of the team.
Asked last night if he’s motivated by falling in the draft, he said no. He’s motivated to play good football.
So yeah, Bain may have lost money by falling, but if he’s upset with that, he’s doing a great job of hiding it.
April 25th, 2026 at 12:09 am
It’s simple, he knows he’ll spend more time hanging out with Winfield and Smith in the end zone stands selling hotdogs after some scrub QB torches them yet again for a TD in the middle of the field.
April 25th, 2026 at 12:11 am
Arm length the biggest factor? Come on, Joe. I know you don’t believe that. Try reporting on the truth of the matter why noone dared touching him before we did. Truth never hurts.
April 25th, 2026 at 12:12 am
He’ll probably save $10M in taxes alone over 5 years compared to going to CA or NY, plus mansions are a lot cheaper in central Florida than those places. It’s not all bad.
April 25th, 2026 at 12:14 am
Kenton Smith Says:
April 25th, 2026 at 12:11 am
Arm length the biggest factor? Come on, Joe. I know you don’t believe that. Try reporting on the truth of the matter why noone dared touching him before we did. Truth never hurts.
———-
Because he was in a traffic accident? One where the family of the girl that was killed literally came out and said it was just an accident and wished him the best. Or is there some other mass conspiracy you’re talking about?
April 25th, 2026 at 12:15 am
He looked pretty pissed but if he keeps his head down and grinds, he’ll make it up. I liked the fact that he’s not willing to pay for a jersey. Show up on the field and they’ll give it to you without asking.
April 25th, 2026 at 12:27 am
What’s the betting line on the date he asks to be traded to a team with a coaching staff and management who give him a chance to compete?
April 25th, 2026 at 12:32 am
yeah i thought he was a little pissed off too…and the announce/interviewer lady almost seemed shook, and decidedly agreed with him “that tampa would be poppin” 🙂
let him be pissed if he wants to be…it could be his nature…and we def need some “salty dawgs” on this team now
April 25th, 2026 at 12:33 am
It’s kind to say, and keeping with the parameters of the dialogue regarding how desirable a place Tampa is to play football right now, but it’s not just about the money. Bull spit.
Moving on, like it or lump it for Bain he is here and like it or lump it for the fans, Trotter is the ILB of the future. The Bucs didn’t just get more violent, the got downright James Harrison. I’m not saying Bain is Harrison or Trotter is Harrison but they both have a quality I can only call “James Harrison.” I love that but that whole thing where Bowles provides a LB for opposing QBs to pick on in coverage thing that had to stop didn’t stop despite the opportunity to stop it. Bowles is as Bowles does.
Then when the next opportunity to stop the insanity came the Bucs drafted themselves a nice WR they don’t need. Licht gonna Licht.
This team needs a young money backer/star/big slot/overhang. Louis is still available with a trade-up. Perkins Jr may be there. Eric Gentry would be a good use of that extra fifth. I’m not as high on Kilgore as some but I can see him being a doing some good for what ails the Bucs in the middle and I love his name.
I like both day two players but the “more of the same ish” aftertaste is a lot.
April 25th, 2026 at 12:33 am
@Kenton Smith
Joe was quoting Eric Edholm, Joe didn’t mention Bain’s arms in this article at all.
April 25th, 2026 at 12:35 am
What player ever looked happy to be drafted by Tampa Bay besides Winston? Serious question. I always sort of chuckle at that “kissing their sister” look on their face.
April 25th, 2026 at 12:36 am
Reuben Bain is a physical football player
That’s what we want, a guy that actually want to play football
And play it the right way, and that’s with physicality
April 25th, 2026 at 12:42 am
Alyssa. You are right. Joe. Sorry, I was wrong. I’m so pi$$ed off about this draft I can’t even read.
April 25th, 2026 at 12:43 am
Why look not surprised 3.28 whining again ahahaha😂
April 25th, 2026 at 12:49 am
Don’t worry Kenton. Alcohol therapy helps.
The explanation is, Licht is giving Bowles everything he wants. That way when the inevitable season long swoon happens in 2026, Licht gets to save his own job and find us a real HC and a full time DC who will run a modern defense. Todd can’t escape the corner he’s put himself in.
April 25th, 2026 at 1:02 am
Did find it amusing when Licht purposefully restrained himself a bit on his thoughts on Bain & where they had him on their board, saying ” we still have a contract to negotiate”. Smart move, no sense giving his agent any more ammo to bring to the table when working on that deal. Do expect his to take a little longer that some others picked around him.
April 25th, 2026 at 1:05 am
Side note, nice to be able to catch the draft in the AM to get the day started over here in Vietnam.
April 25th, 2026 at 1:09 am
Couple more trade downs and Light can nab that thumper from Alachua County Junior College who has been out of football for two years pursuing a singing career.
April 25th, 2026 at 1:11 am
Playing for a losers club. This draft is awful.
April 25th, 2026 at 1:58 am
Grover, with His Geniusness now apparently calling all the shots, what difference does it make whether Light drafted Rueben Bains or Reuben Sandwich? None. Zero difference. This just cements the case and accelerates the timing and severity of the much anticipated changing of the guard.
April 25th, 2026 at 2:11 am
Can’t wait for the excuses and protection of the Defenseless coordinator when we start the next losing streak game one of 2026.
We are in perpetual groundhogs day with Todd and Bud Licht.
They only thing they manage to expand on is their waste lines.
Perhaps they can start a sub sandwich food truck after getting fired.
Fat drunk and stupid is no way to go through life.