The Buccaneers have selected edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. out of Miami with the 15th pick of the 2026 draft, and they’re getting a versatile player who can get after the quarterback from just about anywhere. Here’s everything you need to know. Stats & Accolades2023: (13 games played, 10 starts), 44 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, pass defended, three forced fumbles, ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, Third-Team All-ACC2024: (9 games played, 9 starts), 23 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks2025: (16 games played, 16 starts), 54 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, interception, pass defended, forced fumble, Consensus All-American, Ted Hendricks Award winner, ACC Defensive Player of the Year, First-Team All-ACCWhat the Buccaneers are getting:A short-armed battering ram who showed that some physical limitations can be overcome by pure determination and effort.
Bain was the ACC’s Defensive Player of the Year after a highly productive career at The U that saw him hit the ground running as a freshman. Scouts love his temperament and note his elite attention to detail when dissecting his enemy during the week’s preparation. Some scouts will be turned off by his lack of length, but this is a player that makes you not want to bet against him.StrengthsLooks like the total package if not for the lack of prototypical length and sizeBeing coached by NFL HoF pas rusher Jason Taylor shows in his attention to detail and techniqueHits like a cannonball into the chest of tacklesHits the decks when turning corners to minimize surface areaWeaknessVery short arms (30 ⅞” at the NFL Combine)Lack of length will make it hard to keep chest and eyesight clearMiddling closing burst to quarterbackDoes not have speed to pursue outside the boxAthletic Testing/MeasurablesHeight: 6’2”Weight: 263 pounds40-yard dash: N/A10-yard split: N/AVertical jump: N/ABroad jump: N/A3-cone drill: N/AShort shuttle: N/ABench Press: N/A