Draft Grades On Rueben Bain Virtually Unanimous
April 24th, 2026
Aced it.
Jason Licht aced the test. All his labor pulling all-nighters, zig-zagging across the country and interviewing hundreds of players paid off.
Joe found four grades for drafting Bain, the Miami Mauler. Three outlets gave an “A” grade.
The fourth outlet gave Licht an “A+.”
First, there is Mike Renner of CBS, who was the man who gave Licht an A+ for his test Thursday.
Bain was the most dominant force in college football last season. He can set a hard edge in the run game and collapse pockets with ease. What I love most about his game is that he almost never came off the field for the runner-up Hurricanes last year. He fills what was easily the biggest need on the Bucs.
Charles McDonald of Yahoo! began the A-graders.
Bain falling this far is kind of crazy, but the Buccaneers are getting a ton of value here. Bain can win against the run in a big way with physicality, and it should translate to playing against bigger offensive linemen. His arm length might stop him being a 10-sack player every year, but he’s a high-floor player who can make the Buccaneers defense a lot more physical.
Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman of The Athletic teamed up to also give Licht an A.
Tampa Bay got a steal here. Considered a top-10 talent, Bain fell to No. 15, where he aligned with the Buccaneers’ positional needs. Tampa Bay largely has journeymen at that position group, so Bain immediately gives the group a weapon. How much will Todd Bowles adjust his defense to accommodate Bain, who’s more of a 4-3 edge who can kick inside on passing downs? That remains to be seen.
Bain (6-2 1/2, 263) was a destructive force on the national runner-up defense (9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss last season). He was a consensus first-team All-American and boasts rare power and explosiveness, but his arm length (30 7/8 inches) provides cause for concern.
Matt Verderame of SI.com continued the Licht glossing with A grades.
The conversation throughout the draft process around Bain centered on his arm length, which was initially measured at 30⅞-inches, but that doesn’t tell the story. The tape shows one of the best players in this class regardless of position. At Miami, Bain destroyed offenses with 20.5 sacks in three seasons, including 9.5 last year. In the College Football Playoff, Bain registered five sacks and eight tackles for loss (in four games), helping the Hurricanes reach the national championship game.
How he fits with the Buccaneers: Tampa Bay desperately needed a pass rusher and they found one in Bain. In the offseason, the Buccaneers signed Al-Quadin Muhammad to a one-year contract. However, there’s very little behind him on the depth chart opposite Muhammad, making Bain a great fit and an immediate starter.
Great that Licht aced the test. That’s half the battle: getting the right players. Now comes the real test.
How will Bucs coaches develop Bain? The Miami Mauler is fighting an uphill battle when it comes to history. Since the Bucs’ very first draft pick, Lee Roy Selmon, this franchise’s history with drafting and developing edge rushers is downright sorry. That’s a half-century of futility.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles’ personal history of developing rookie edge rushers is equally grim. His next rookie molded into a double-digit sack guy will be his first.
Can Bain change history?
April 24th, 2026 at 4:02 am
I wonder if Braswell even makes the team after this pick. Major upgrade.
LB, CB, DT next.
April 24th, 2026 at 4:55 am
It is difficult to assign final grades on day one of any semester.
However, it is encouraging that the correct position was drafted and we can finally move on from reapplying old band-aid solutions like Haason or even JPP, who were good players, at one point in history.
April 24th, 2026 at 5:36 am
Just how much short is 30.75 inches arm length compared to average or arm length considered long??
April 24th, 2026 at 6:32 am
homerun
April 24th, 2026 at 6:40 am
I am of the opinion that if all it takes is development, more teams would have a stud DE/OLB. Todd just needs to let him work at what he does best, attack the offensive player with the ball. Bring Shaq Barrett back as a mentor and position
coach to speed up his adjustment to the NFL. Shaq is one the few players that
I know of that actually developed. He has a similar body type and skillset to Bain.Shaq also played behind Demarcus Ware and Von Miller in Denver. The knowledge and skill set that Shaq has makes him more qualified than anybody on the Bucs staff.
April 24th, 2026 at 7:09 am
D minus for JTS Jr Plan 1 from Outer Space…
April 24th, 2026 at 7:12 am
It’s funny to think of all the prep these guys do for the draft only to have sheer luck determine your fate. Licht looks like a genius picking Bain when in reallity, he just fell in his lap. This second rounder Licht needs to nail. He’s missed quite a few second rounders. His latest Morrison, left a lot of questions still at corner. I hope Licht continues to build the front seven. I’d wait on another corner.
April 24th, 2026 at 7:12 am
As long as Todd let’s him rush the passer and not drop into coverage lol I like the variety of our edge room now. Walker being a guy who i am excited to see as a rotation guy. I think the biggest need remaining for this team is a DT Who can back up VV and provide a little push up the middle. McDonald from OSU would be a grand slam to pick up at this point
April 24th, 2026 at 7:21 am
Typical Licht. He does nothing, Bain literally falls into his lap, and everyone (especially ROH spouting joes) go on and on about what a great job he did. Love the pick, but truly, any common Joe could have pulled off what Licht did….err, didnt do. Meanwhile, the Bills and 9ers are wracking up picks and moved into higher 2nd rd positions. Some GMs are clever, some lucky. I’m putting Licht in the latter
April 24th, 2026 at 7:25 am
I was mildly concerned about arm length but then i saw Micah Parsons arm length is 31.5”….so really not an indicator of success. Lets hope we have the right coaches….
April 24th, 2026 at 7:30 am
I am impressed that he got 5 sacks in 4 games during the college playoffs. Good way to end his college career.
I also hope we find a good ILB who also has a high upside in the second round.
April 24th, 2026 at 7:38 am
Now reality sets in. Can Bowles help him transfer his talents to the NFL??????
April 24th, 2026 at 7:46 am
Grover, you lauded the pic last night in real time. Now for some reason you’re back to trolling. Got to scratch that itch huh? Would hate to know the origin of that itch. Must be miserable.
April 24th, 2026 at 7:49 am
In my mind, Bain was the best defensive player available considering who was available at 15. We were lucky he fell to us, and Licht took him rather than trading down, I’m cool with that.
The Glazers need to pay Jason Taylor whatever he wants to get him here. If he won’t come here, send everyone down to Miami to Jason for a camp.
April 24th, 2026 at 7:59 am
Bowles has never had an end with this much talent.
April 24th, 2026 at 8:09 am
Hey Steven007, he needs a bit of gold bond for that itch
April 24th, 2026 at 8:16 am
What would an ideal arm length be for a 6-3 DE? How short are his arms?
April 24th, 2026 at 8:25 am
tregrimmd Says:
April 24th, 2026 at 4:02 am
I wonder if Braswell even makes the team after this pick.
i was thinking the same thing last night lol…
braswell may want to think about switching positions much like Zach Baun
GO BUCS!!!!
April 24th, 2026 at 8:29 am
what Bain lacks in arm length, he makes up for it with his motor, burst and violence…
LB is a need but damn, what if Darrell Jackson Jr or A.Messidor is there when we pick in the 2nd round….
we’d truly be building a defensive front that could rival philly and seattle
GO BUCS!!!!
April 24th, 2026 at 8:30 am
“LB is a need but damn, what if Darrell Jackson Jr or A.Messidor is there when we pick in the 2nd round….”
Mesidor is a Charger my boi
April 24th, 2026 at 8:38 am
I think for 1st round DE what I read is they want 33 inch arms and 80 inch wingspan.
He has 30.75 arms and 77.5 wingspan.
Guys that did not get to the 33 inch arms and 80 inch wingspan include:
Micah Parsons
Dwight Freeney
James Harrison
Robert Mathis
April 24th, 2026 at 8:50 am
Bowles needs to adopt a 4-3 provided he can get J Rod to play the middle. Need less of Bowles “genius” and more of an attacking defense.
April 24th, 2026 at 9:03 am
Mesidor is a Charger my boi
oh ok lol…
i must’ve blacked out from the excitement over BAIN…or Remy lol
GO BUCS!!!!!
April 24th, 2026 at 9:13 am
I am shocked that Licht didn’t take Munch advice that Bucs defense is stout and that it is Baker that is the real problem. Munch advised trading 15 pick for Shedeur Sanders.
April 24th, 2026 at 9:17 am
Bowles uses a 4-3 fairly frequently. Bain will be just fine in a 3-4. He’ll be the primary rusher so won’t lose many opportunities to rush the passer à la Shaq Barrett.
April 24th, 2026 at 9:20 am
Unless he has T-Rex arms I dont care.
April 24th, 2026 at 10:03 am
He’ll be fine and will develop. He will most likely take off in ‘27.
April 24th, 2026 at 10:04 am
Danfan Says:
April 24th, 2026 at 5:36 am
Just how much short is 30.75 inches arm length compared to average or arm length considered long??
——————-
NFL minimums for desired arm length for OT and Edge is 33. In the interior, arm length isn’t as big of a deal… but on the outside, the longer, the better. Luke Goedeke at RT was considered having short arms and was initially moved to guard, his arms are 32.5.
April 24th, 2026 at 10:24 am
I assimilate this pick with winning the NFC South division several years on end. Yes it’s a good thing, great pic, but a no-brainer and anyone would’ve made that choice given the opportunity. JL or the organization doesn’t really deserve credit for it.
April 24th, 2026 at 10:35 am
Someone made a great point. When B-Rex regresses it will be due to one and only one genius, and not even the Pom Pom waving apologists’ excuses will be able to hide the truth.
April 24th, 2026 at 10:42 am
Bain is the next Shaq Barrett only more powerful and better against the run.
April 24th, 2026 at 10:47 am
I heard one comment last night that I’ll repeat here:
“Supposedly, Cuban sandwiches are the most popular in Tampa. I think the new favorite will be the Reuben.”
April 24th, 2026 at 11:15 am
Bucs needed an asshole and they got the best one in this draft.
April 24th, 2026 at 1:54 pm
Thankfully don’t thing Bowles will be around long enough to do any permanent damage to Bain. Look forward to next years DC designing a scheme that takes full advantage of his skillset.