Reuben Bain’s Surprise Slide in NFL Draft

Last year’s tragic car accident involving Reuben Bain lingered in everyone’s minds, but regarding his draft status, there was a prevailing sense of reassurance. Sure, some said, “No need to worry,” pointing to his impressive skills despite his shorter arms. Yet, I found myself repeating that mantra, “Don’t worry.” But then, something unexpected happened.

Bain didn’t land in the top 10 as many anticipated. He was picked 15th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which left many scratching their heads. Was it justified?

I mistakenly believed that Bain’s size and past incidents wouldn’t significantly influence his draft position. Clearly, I was wrong.

After the draft, Bain’s demeanor on ESPN revealed he wasn’t exactly ecstatic. “I know I’m the best in the country, for sure,” he said with a grin to Laura Rutledge. “That’s how I see myself.” He expressed an unwavering confidence, stating that he’s determined to excel at the next level.

The Buccaneers are adding Bain as an outside rusher, intending for him to work alongside Vita Vea. They’ve secured the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-American.

Interestingly, Bain’s selection as the 15th player marked him as the third edge defender taken. While that’s an achievement by any standard, for Bain, it felt more like a missed opportunity, shifting the narrative around him.

Draft analyst Mel Kiper pointed out that Bain will need to prove himself and beat the odds to find success in the NFL. Much of the spotlight seemed focused on Bain’s shorter arms, which were noted to be 30 7/8 inches—one of the smallest lengths for a defensive end at the combine.

Is this really why he dropped from the top 10? Or could the lingering effects of driving incidents play a part in this decision? In March 2024, Bain was involved in a serious collision on Interstate 95, which left one passenger, Destiny Betts, in a coma. She later died from complications. Although Bain was charged, he was acquitted due to technicalities.

This situation was well-known to NFL teams, and he also faced charges for another accident a year later. Moreover, Bain’s lack of transparency about his past during team evaluations didn’t sit well with some scouts.

Despite all this, the Buccaneers seem optimistic. General manager Jason Licht acknowledged the gravity of the past incidents, emphasizing that Bain is a good person. “He loves football,” Licht insisted, which is apparently a trait that outweighs concerns about Bain’s history and size.