​During the 2026 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers capitalized on a late slide from Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr., selecting the two-time second-team All-American with the No. 15 pick. By season’s end in college, Bain was widely viewed as a potential top pick, but concerns about his arm length and other measurables caused his stock to slip. Still, many considered him one of the draft’s biggest steals, and Bain has already made a strong impression on Tampa’s front office and his teammates during organized team activities.
On Friday, former Super Bowl-winning head coach Jon Gruden joined the 95.7 WDAE radio program to discuss Bain and what he expects from him in his rookie season. “I think he can be a double-digit sack guy,” Gruden said. “Now, some of the analytics folks are wary of him because of his arm length and related measurements, but I believe he’s a double-digit sack guy.”
At Miami, Bain registered 15.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. His 92.5 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season ranked third among 852 qualified edge defenders. In run support, Bain totaled 29 solo tackles, forced two fumbles, and he also logged an interception in pass coverage.
Early practice observations have highlighted Bain’s aggressiveness on the line and in pursuit, with a coach even telling the rookie to ease up on the team’s equipment at one point. Tampa Bay’s pass rush last season ranked near the bottom of the league, posting a 19.8 percent pressure rate (No. 25 in the NFL) according to Pro Football Reference. Bain should help boost that figure, but Gruden emphasized that the overall pass rush will still rely on the production of the entire unit.
“I do think, though, it’s going to come down to [Calijah] Kancey, Vita Vea; we’ve got to get more out of Yaya Diaby,” Gruden said. “It’s got to be a collective effort from a group of rushers.”
Gruden also reflected on his Buccaneers tenure and the value of a multi-faceted attack. “Don’t forget, when we had a great pass rush, it was Warren Sapp, but we also had Simeon Rice, Greg Spires. We had players coming inside and out, and we could unleash a wave of pressure,” Gruden noted. “Rueben Bain has a huge ceiling, but, of course, he’s a rookie. He’ll need help from his teammates.”
Vea, a two-time Pro Bowler, will consistently contribute in the run game and occupy multiple blockers with his size, helping to free up others. Kancey and Diaby are players set to take meaningful jumps, having dealt with injuries but shown flashes when healthy. Diaby, who will line up opposite Bain, posted seven sacks and 50 total tackles last season. This offseason, Diaby has spoken about focusing on more than just on-field production, setting ambitious goals for his role as a locker-room presence.
As Bain acclimates to the NFL, his immediate impact will hinge on the surrounding defense’s ability to generate pressure from multiple angles. The Buccaneers will be counting on Bain’s explosiveness, his unruly hustle, and the collective play of a revitalized front seven to lift a unit that is eager to climb out of the lower tiers of the league in sacks and overall pressure.