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2 hours ago
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Rueben Bain Jr is an interesting prospect. He was dominant at Miami, but his draft stock is still unknown as those who champion analytics and circumstantial factors. Bain admittedly has short arms. The concern is there is very little data that suggests a short armed EDGE can be dominant.
Bain is a great candidate for "just watch the tape". Bain is unrelenting, powerful and quick. He's also a football only guy. At the Combine he was asked about his hair. He said he eats, sleeps and breathes football only.
When asked about his short arms Bain provided a great comp. "Like Mike Tyson... He wasn't the tallest guy. He wasn't the longest-limbed guy. But when you felt him, you felt him."
Here's a look at where Bain is projected to land in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Rueben Bain Jr NFL Draft projections
ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr - No. 9 Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs now have two first-round picks. And Bain would be very tough to pass up at this spot. Despite 30⅞-inch arms that caused quite a stir at the combine, Bain is dominant off the edge. He simply finds ways to get to the QB, whether it's with his speed, power or savviness. He had 71 pressures last season en route to 9.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss.
The Ringer's Todd McShay - No. 4 Tennessee Titans
Bain might be a bit of a surprise here, but the pick tracks philosophically. Mike Borgonzi comes from the Chiefs’ BPA model and has a history of using premium picks (top 10-15) on premium positions (QB, edge, OT, CB). Bain over David Bailey comes down to fit. With Jermaine Johnson in place as the wide-9 rusher, HC Robert Saleh is looking for a nasty tone setter up front. Bain provides that physical edge setting with pass rush disruption. If Borgonzi and Saleh can look past the short arms, Bain feels like a perfect fit.
NFL Network's Rhett Lewis - No. 8 New Orleans Saints
Even if Cameron Jordan re-signs with the Saints this offseason, the team needs to find another presence on the edge. Bain gives them a menace both as a pass rusher and run defender.
ESPN's Peter Schrager - No. 8 New Orleans Saints
New Orleans said farewell to many defensive leaders this offseason. Short arms be damned; the powerful and disruptive Bain is viewed as a top-10-worthy prospect after a 9.5-sack season. This seems like a good match.
Yahoo Sports' Nate Tice - No. 10 Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals go with the antithesis of their first-round selection from a year ago, trading the high-end tools and low-end production of Shemar Stewart with the top-end production and effort but lack of ideal length of Bain. The Bengals look at Bain to be a tone-setter on their defense for the future.
CBS Sports' Garrett Podell - No. 12 Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys land the edge rusher they desired since Micah Parsons' exit to the Green Bay Packers thanks to Rueben Bain Jr.'s lack of arm length (30⅞ inches). Bain put on a show at his pro day during position drills in front of Brian Schottenheimer, and company. Dallas lands a young edge rusher who can grow alongside Donovan Ezeiruaku and Rashan Gary.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler Big Board ranking - No. 9 overall
Bain has some size/speed constraints, but his power profile, leveraged attack and tenacious play style show in all areas of his game and directly lead to backfield disruption. He projects as a scheme-versatile NFL starter who can line up wide, over the tackle or inside as a three-technique.
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