{"id":593391,"date":"2026-04-19T09:36:20","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T09:36:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/593391\/"},"modified":"2026-04-19T09:36:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T09:36:20","slug":"ben-solak-has-advice-for-jason-licht-go-get-rueben-bain-joebucsfan-com","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/593391\/","title":{"rendered":"Ben Solak Has Advice For Jason Licht: Go Get Rueben Bain – JoeBucsFan.com"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Miami edge Rueben Bain.<\/p>\n

Trigger alert!<\/p>\n

\u201cThis Joe\u201d senses a growing swell of frustration, bordering on hostility, that some folks want Bucs AC\/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht run out of Florida.<\/p>\n

Why someone wants to chase off a guy who has proven he can build a Super Bowl winner as well as a team that, at worst, competes each year, is beyond Joe\u2019s comprehension.<\/p>\n

Hey, former Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik isn\u2019t working in the NFL currently. Maybe that\u2019s what folks want? He did draft Lavonte David and Gerald McCoy, after all!<\/p>\n

Ben Solak of ESPN seems to be a Licht fan, lauding Licht\u2019s drafting acumen, specifically on offense. But Solak believes since Licht appeared disinterested in Maxx Crosby and apparently Trey Hendrickson was spooked by Mike Evans turning his nose up on the team \u2014 taking a pay cut to pay taxes through his nose and lie on an airplae bed during 49ers\u2019 road trips, that Licht must be aggressive next week finding a pass rusher<\/p>\n

So, since Licht was not fond (enough) of available established pass-rushing savants this past spring, Solak said it\u2019s time for Licht to hit a home run with an edge rusher Thursday night,<\/p>\n

Solak types<\/a>\u00a0that Licht either needs to do the unthinkable and trade a draft pick to move up to get Rueben Bain, or pull an Al Davis and muddy the waters to a point that Bain looks so shady that he will fall in the draft to No. 15 where the Bucs currently pick.<\/p>\n

Under GM Jason Licht, the Buccaneers are perennially strong drafters. Quarterback Baker Mayfield and left guard Ben Bredeson are the only offensive starters who were not drafted and developed, and the Buccaneers\u2019 only offensive need is along the interior offensive line. Right guard Cody Mauch is approaching a contract year and returning from a season-ending knee injury. TE2 is also a spot to watch, as the Bucs have probably looked all offseason at that deep class. They could use an impactful run blocker behind Cade Otton. (Sam Roush out of Stanford is a personal favorite).<\/p>\n

Defensively, it\u2019s a different story. The roster is full of homegrown players, but with far less success. Chris Braswell was a miss at pass rusher and YaYa Diaby is only a strong rotational player, leaving the Bucs without a ringer of a pass rusher. They didn\u2019t get involved on Maxx Crosby or Trey Hendrickson but now suddenly need a splashy sack artist at No. 15. Will Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami) fall all the way to them? It\u2019s unlikely, but with a small trade-up, Licht might be able to snag him. Of course, recent reporting from The Read Optional details Bain\u2019s off-field concerns that might impact his positioning on Tampa Bay\u2019s board. And Licht rarely trades up in the first round. Since he became general manager in 2014, he has traded up once \u2014 and it was from No. 14 to No. 13.<\/p>\n

And that trade up, let\u2019s not forget, landed the Bucs a likely Hall of Fame tackle, Tristan Wirfs.<\/p>\n

(Twice when Licht has had an out-of-body experience and traded away a draft pick \u2014 gasp! \u2014 Licht landed Jason Pierre-Paul and Wirfs, two franchise landmark acquisitions.)<\/p>\n

Solak typed Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk is unacceptable if the Bucs are serious about returning to the playoffs in 2026. And Solak has his doubts about Bain teammate Akheem Mesidor.<\/p>\n

And if Bain is gone by No. 15 and Licht won\u2019t let loose of a draft pick to trade up, Solak has a suggestion for Licht:<\/p>\n

Call the Vikings and work a deal for Jonathan Greenard.<\/p>\n

Hey, Licht stole JPP from the Giants for a measly third-round pick. And that move was a turning point for the franchise. Three seasons later, JPP was bawling all over a Vince Lombardi Trophy.\u00a0Wirfs\u2019 value cannot be overstated.<\/p>\n

If Licht can do it twice, he can do it again. The question is, does he want to?<\/p>\n

Rueben Bain Jr. 1 SCK, 2 TFL, 4 TKL vs Ohio State College Football Playoff Quarterfinal 2025.<\/p>\n

WHO DRAFTS BAIN?pic.twitter.com\/p0LcP1eHz8<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Where is Rueben Bain going in first round?<\/p>\n

We discussed at the FFCA! pic.twitter.com\/opM95akbFe<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jon Gruden (@BarstoolGruden) April 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

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