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.
April 25th, 2026 at 3:26 am
Funny & sad how quickly Licht & the Bucs lost the hype and hope of many fans after lucking into Bain by making two uninspiring picks in the 2nd & 3rd. Had a chance to make this a memorable draft for years to come but lacked the stones to get it done.
April 25th, 2026 at 3:48 am
Wow, 3.28 Evans is a ant-fan who has nothing better to do but to write something negative about every story joe writes. You seriously have no life when you have created several accounts just so u can troll. Find another team to troll cause we don’t need u. We get it, U DONT LIKE BOWLES… GET OVER IT. U whining about it and writing negative comments on every story joe writes isn’t gonna get him fired. A REAL fan supports his team at the end of the day no matter who’s coaching.
April 25th, 2026 at 4:01 am
Will Lee III is still there? (CB)
And so is Trigg….oh yeah, we’re cooking! Time to fire up the grill!!
Will Lee probably wont make it to us, so go Trigg!
April 25th, 2026 at 5:01 am
It’s not like he’s only going to earn $19 an hour when he feels he’s worth $21. He is going to earn a heck of a lot more money in his first year here than most people will earn in a lifetime.
April 25th, 2026 at 5:31 am
Hes mad because he just got picked by the worst defensive coach in the league. Pretty soon Todd will be sitting next to Lovie Smith, Mike Smith and Byron Leftwhich as former bucs coordinators who were given more credit than ever deserved and unqualified to be anything more than an assistant towel boy in this league.
April 25th, 2026 at 5:31 am
Worst fan base in the league.
April 25th, 2026 at 5:56 am
Of you look at what he, and his family were wearing, I think he thought he was going to the Browns. They ended up trading back where he thought he’d be picked. The whole family was wearing Cleveland Brown colors, certainly not Pewter.
April 25th, 2026 at 6:25 am
What’s that saying? “Talk softly and carry a big stick”.
April 25th, 2026 at 6:40 am
Heck, a lot of the guys drafted probably wished they could still get the NIL coin they got from their Power 4 programs.
April 25th, 2026 at 6:45 am
Rod Munch. Mass conspiracy theory? Bain is so gifted he looked like a man amidst boys against the best competition in college football. My problem with him. At 4am with 3 others, including 2 teammates, in the SUV with him, hit someone from behind going so fast that after impact he careened into concrete barriers on both sides of the road before coming to rest. A 22 year old girl lived 3 months in a coma before passing. A financial settlement was reached with the other vehicle, and incredibly, no tests for sobriety were done. So careless driving was the charge. The next year, during football season, not even 6 months ago, he is charged with the same offense, and the charges get wiped? No Munch. There is no other mass conspiracy theory I’m talking about. And I’m sure the dead girl’s family just love Bain to death. What kind of idiot would think otherwise? And I’ve stated I’d give Bain the benefit of the doubt after the first collision. So what did young Mr. Bain learn? In October last year he learned that he could still drive like an entitled punk and the right lawyer would keep him from facing consequence. He also learned he could lose millions of dollars because many teams made the same decision I made. Which was I wouldn’t touch him with a ten foot pole. Yes I’m disappointed. And then to ask us to believe there is no concern with a kid who missed half his high school senior year with knee surgery, only to follow that up with 2! more KNEE surgeries before his 21st birthday? And then we take a receiver when that’s absolutely the last position we need to worry about with that third pick? Here in Oklahoma we can start with our high schools and move onto our colleges and every year we can pick out tough, mean, thumpers who will knock a$$e$ off. All over the place. So? I’m more than a little irked with the results of this draft. I just can’t help it. Thank God the professionals with our team are handling things though. That professional leadership has shown me a defense that ought to be ashamed of themselves since the minute I started following this franchise. Can’t imagine why I’m not all in.
April 25th, 2026 at 6:45 am
He was crying talking with Licht and Bowles during the call. Those were tears of relief and gratitude, not, “I’m pissed it took this long!”
I agree with Joe, you can’t judge his reaction by his voice. He leads with his chin versus his hand out.
I admire that.
We got a good one. Wow. I’m still in pinch-me mode.
April 25th, 2026 at 6:47 am
WeDemBoyzFromDaBay: all Buc fans share your thoughts and the trolls are a fact of life. I think some have multiple handles, I just ignore the ones who cannot make a decent argument.
Scubog: Carry a big stick was in vogue after that one winning season Jameis had then it kind of went in the crapper, much like the career of a former local sports radio personality.
April 25th, 2026 at 7:03 am
FM Dave
Yep that was Koetters attempt at being tough. Turned out to be a joke.
April 25th, 2026 at 7:18 am
Kenton Smith…..
Well Said.
Dem boyz…..
Cancer Doesn’t go away on it’s own.. YOU’VE GOT TO CUT IT “COMPLETELY OUT OF THE BODY WITHOUT HESITATION OR MERCY”! “bowles”… and I’m sorry to say for some BUT JASON LICHT, YOU’RE AN @IDIOT@! Looks like a further damaging “Hit JOB” by Licht with more of the VERY WRONG PICKS! Licht has lost the touch he briefly had. He’s done… Besides Bain (fell in our laps), it’s pretty CLEAR that Licht’s time is coming to an end! At this point I’m Actually Surprised he even Made that correct pick. No Seriously! After the stunningly Poor choices of rounds 2 (a Surprisingly SLOW, LB? AGAIN? 2nd ROUND??? WT..F!) and 3 (another receiver? SERIOUSLY????) He might as well be on the same short bus as bozo on their way out of town. THE SOONER, THE BETTER!
Ft. Myers Dave…
Really?
Thanks for… well, you didn’t bring anything of consequence either… yawn..
April 25th, 2026 at 7:40 am
Bucs aint living in central fl my guy
April 25th, 2026 at 7:44 am
My only concern with Bain is what kind of report did his cuz Carlton Davis give him on the Bucs and Bowles. But I’m sure KC will welcome here and expect Sapp to be a big fan and hopefully Shaq Barrett since they are similar will be right there too
April 25th, 2026 at 8:35 am
Today’s selections
A butcher
A baker
A candlestick maker
Some other schlub
Perfect
April 25th, 2026 at 8:57 am
This team isn’t one player away from a Super Bowl run. But if these picks pan out, then it’s a good core of players for the next coach and GM to work with. Let’s not be delusional, the Bucs are getting higher draft picks next year. I’m just looking forward to taking Mendoza from the Raiders in 5 years.
April 25th, 2026 at 9:14 am
Positions go on runs because once teams see other teams already drafting a position they think they’ll get in a later round, they have to jump on that position too because it will run dry before their next chance.
It worked out great for the Bucs that offensive linemen and not edge rushers went on a run right before their pick.
April 25th, 2026 at 9:47 am
After the euphoria of the Bain pick in round 1, I am now listening to BB King’s “The Thrill is Gone” after rounds 2 and 3.
April 25th, 2026 at 11:07 am
‘Bain was upset at falling to Tampa Bay.’
Probably partly due to being out of Miami, he knows that Bucs HC/DC IBS sets his career on a path of failure and a waste of his 1st NFL Season!
April 25th, 2026 at 12:23 pm
Kenton …so the kid doesn’t drive too well..
Can he play football? If so I’m fine with that.
April 25th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
NFL media is obsessed with money. Should we feel bad for a sub-25 year old for ONLY making millions? Its tiring.
April 25th, 2026 at 12:53 pm
Hope he gets way louder on the field. Although The Silent Assasin sounds like a cool Nickname…
Go Bucs!
April 26th, 2026 at 10:09 am
Honestly, Bain should be thanking those 14 teams that passed on him. Landing in a better-run organization (not perfect) with a plan for development (getting dawgs up front) is way more valuable than getting drafted higher into a mess.
Not to mention the weather and state tax factors.
If he produces, the second contract is where the real money is anyway. This could end up being a blessing in disguise for his career.
Tampa….
Bain…
LFG!
April 26th, 2026 at 2:10 pm
I have been a bucks fan since the early ’80s. Do I wish last wrnt better, yeah. But with the change in the quality of fans that the Buccaneers have acquired is appalling, some of you people think that you’re the most intelligent football minds in the world and you’re not, shut up! and let the professionals work. Appreciate how hard they work and what they do for the team and the community. If not take your fair weather attitude and hit the road. We need supporters not doubters. I’m sure most people when put under a microscope of the public peering into their work 24/7 would have a lot worse things to say about the quality of your work then the quality of the Buccaneers management. get a life!