What Rueben Bain Jr. Does for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Since 2021, no player with sub-31” arms has even recorded a sack in his first three seasons. That’s alarming to read, and it bears remembering, but if there’s any player primed to surmount those odds, it’s Bain.

What Type of Player is Rueben Bain Jr.?

Bain is a unique player who circumvents his size constraints with overwhelming force, quickness, and bend. Bain has an intimate understanding of how to out-leverage offensive linemen and put them on their heels while creating the shortest path possible to the pocket.

He’s extremely stout but nimble, which offers a unique blend of a player who can set a hard edge versus the run while still surprising offensive tackles with how he can change up his approach. He has the best bull rush in the class, bar none, but he can also stun with violent hands delivering clubs, rips, and chops.

His unique build also provides an alignment versatile chess piece. Todd Bowles will reduce Bain inside, get him free on his trademark unique blitzes, and draw up some fun games and stunts to take advantage of his smooth movement skills.

He’ll remind teams of Brandom Graham or Melvin Ingram if he reaches his potential, and those guys were long-time multi-Pro Bowlers.

The Buccaneers desperately needed Bain’s blend of immediate production and upside (he’ll be 22 at season’s start). He’s NFL-ready strength-wise and has instincts and drive like that of a multi-year pro. He will play a lion’s share of snaps right from the get-go.

Conclusion

Jason Licht does it again, folks.

Staying patient, the draft’s consensus No. 2 edge rusher (if you’re not counting Arvell Reese) fell right into their laps. Questions about his length and a resolved car accident issue lingered pre-draft, but the Bucs must’ve felt comfortable about the person behind the player because few teams value character like Tampa does.

There’s more on-paper risk than the Bucs usually onboard, but there is no debating Bain is absolute force multiplier with proven production and a violent demeanor.

The Bucs achieved what they needed to do on Day 1. What are your thoughts, Bucs Nation?