Can’t Measure Heart: Rueben Bain would be a nice fit in the Black and Gold

It is well-known that the New Orleans Saints have needs at several key positions. Wide receiver being the most obvious, especially with the emergence of a young quarterback in Tyler Shough. But defensive end is also position that is just as big of a need, if not bigger.

With the potential of Cam Jordan leaving in free agency, the depth at the position would take a significant hit. But even if Jordan were to return, the need would still remain the same. The Saints run a defense that relies on consistent edge pressure, and the position requires players who can do multiple things—defend the run, rush the passer, and at times even drop into coverage.

The fortunate thing for the Saints is that in this year’s NFL Draft, there are a lot of really good edge players. One player that many people have ranked in the top three at the position is former Hurricane Rueben Bain Jr.

When you watch the tape, he jumps off the screen. He plays with excellent leverage, great power, elite quickness, and strong technique. He can win as a pass rusher with speed and finesse or with pure power. He’s effective against the run, can beat double teams, and consistently generates push against offensive linemen.

When it comes to playing edge, Bain can do it all. If you need him to stand up and rush, he can do that. But when he puts his hand in the dirt and fires off the snap from that stance, it’s truly an art to watch.

Bain came out of high school as a four-star prospect, and it’s safe to say he made an early impact, becoming a starter as a true freshman at the University of Miami in 2023. In his freshman season, he recorded 7.5 sacks along with 12.5 tackles for loss.

His sophomore year was impacted by injury, as he missed the first four games of the year. He finished that season with 3.5 sacks. This past season, however, was by far his best, as he tallied 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss.

The headlines surrounding Rueben Bain Jr. right now focus on two things: his arm length and a car accident that tragically resulted in the loss of a young woman’s life. There have been many reports on the details of the accident, but Bain was never charged and only cited for careless driving.