Raise The Flags!

Sound The Alarm!

The Bucs bagged a talented edge rusher in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The eruption at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters is something to behold. University of Miami edge rusher Reuben Bain, Jr. is the pick, and he’s no Chris Braswell. He’s no Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. He’s no David Walker, either. This guy isn’t the second coming of Anthony Nelson.

Bain is a violent performer and a polished prospect, one who often played like a man among boys last season with the Hurricanes. He turns 22 in September.

Mesidor checks in at 6-2, 263 pounds and he’s a pure edge rusher.

Wanna drool? Consider this scouting summary on Bain from NFL.com.

Note taker, grudge holder and block destructor with a compact frame and defensive tackle play strength. Bain is ill-tempered with his take-ons, hitting blockers with heavy hand strikes. He plays through tight ends and can anchor against tackles and double teams.

However, his lack of length can lead to him being smothered if he doesn’t land the first strike. He can bend and flip his hips at the top of the rush, swipe away punches and generate a strong bull rush. His playoff run showed an ability to generate quick wins if tackles are passive in setting to him. He can rush off the edge or mismatch guards as a sub-package rusher. Bain’s explosive power and toughness should translate, giving him a high floor as an NFL starter.

Yes, Bain is sometimes knocked for short arms. Give Joe short arms all day if the production is there. Bain had 9 1/2 sacks last season and an interception. You know who else has been knocked for having too-short arms compared to the long history of draft picks at his position? Luke Goedeke, the Bucs’ stud right tackle.

Now Bain is a Buccaneer, playing with fellow first-round draft pick defensive tackles Vita Vea (2018) and Calijah Kancey (2023). Bucs fans can no longer say there’s not talent on the defensive front, if it can stay healthy.

And yes, fourth-year Bucs edge rusher YaYa Diaby is dripping with athletic talent, but can the Bucs get him to refine his game and drop QBs rather than dropping in coverage?

Say what you want about this pick. The Bucs upgraded their edge rusher position in a huge way, which wasn’t hard to do.