Is Rueben Bain The Monster The Bucs Hope?
April 23rd, 2026
Miami edge Rueben Bain.
So normally, “this Joe” would be ecstatic about the Bucs getting an edge rusher at No. 15.
However, “this Joe” knows the defense Todd Bowles uses is not conducive to developing an edge rusher. So the Bucs got a Mustang engine and will try to get it to run in a Pinto body.
Hopefully, HOPEFULLY, someone at One Buc Palace has an epiphany and decides to use an edge rusher for the reason he was drafted: to get after the quarterback.
Having an edge rusher do “other things” has worked out so well. #sarcasm
But draft guru Dane Brugler loves Bain, the Miami Mauler. Brugler, in his draft guide “The Beast” seen in The Athletic, has Bain as his No. 3 edge rusher in the draft.
A three-year starter at Miami, Bain lined up as the field defensive end (three- and four-point stance) in defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman’s four-man front. After combining for 58.5 sacks over his junior and senior seasons in high school, Bain stayed home and played for Miami, where NFL Hall of Famer Jason Taylor served as his D-line coach. A consensus All-American as a junior, Bain made his presence felt — especially in the College Football Playoff — and led the FBS in pressures (83), the most by any player in a single season since 2017. However, he also led the FBS in pass-rush snaps (557), 106 more than No. 2 on the list (No. 41 in the FBS in 2025 in pressures per snap).
With a uniquely thick body type, short arms and an average get-off, Bain isn’t the picture-perfect embodiment of what NFL teams covet in a pass rusher. But he consistently deconstructs blocks with power and is a tough player to slow down. As a pass rusher, Bain uses anvil-weighted hands to jar blocks off balance with rip/bull-rush moves and regularly forces quarterbacks off spots, flushing production to his teammates. He plays low and squatty in the run game, with the violence and awareness to shut down the edges.
Again, Joe hopes Bain completely balls out. Joe just prays that Bowles turns this man loose.
Please, for the love of all that is holy, let a hungry dog eat!