Bucs DL Rueben Bain.

Ever since the Bucs drafted Rueben Bain, Joe has been trying to figure out how he fits in with Bucs coach Todd Bowles’ defense.

Bain is a perfect 43 defensive end. Bowles is a 34 defense kind of guy, through and through. And he ain’t changing.

Watching Bain play for Miami, Joe just doesn’t see him performing all the duties of an outside linebacker, which is an edge rusher (in theory) in Bowles’ defense. Joe typed “in theory” because Bowles hasn’t had an edge rusher since Father Time tapped on Jason Pierre-Paul and Shaq Barrett’s shoulder.

Joe cannot picture Bain dropping back into coverage to take out tight ends, running backs and the occasional receiver.

But Bain is a powerful man. So that leads Joe to believe Bain will be used inside as much or perhaps more so than outside.

In an article for BSPN where Matt Miller typed his favorite draft picks (he had three Bucs in his top-46 draft picks), Miller seems to think like Joe, that Bain will be used often inside.

Bain wins with power and leverage while being a relentless pursuit player once he gets into the backfield, notching many second-effort pressures and sacks. Drafting Bain and signing Al-Quadin Muhammad were two big moves to boost the pass rush. Tampa Bay rolled the dice in 2023 on another undersized pass rusher in Calijah Kancey, whose fifth-year option was recently picked up, and Bain could be used in a similar inside/outside role. It’s easy to see a pathway to early playing time for the rookie.

Joe gets what Miller is typing but has Kancey been used outside that often? Yes, yes, yes, Joe can see the one-liner coming down Central Avenue. Kancey hasn’t been on the field enough to know how he’s used. OK, got it.

But when Kancey was played, he didn’t play outside that much. You could argue he should have (on pass rushes only) because he’s so damn quick.

If Bowles gets creative, he could dial up so many different formations and stunts with his current personnel, he could keep offensive line coaches up at night.

At times, Bowles has used a five-man front. The win over the Eagles in the playoffs three years ago is a good example. The Bucs actually have better personnel now to pull off a five-man front than they had in 2023.

So it seems Bain will be a hybrid for the Bucs. At least, as long as Bowles is here.