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Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain celebrates against Indiana during a January 19, 2026 game.
The Washington Commanders own the No. 7 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and one analyst believes they can draft a sure thing. Logan Paulsen, who played tight end in Washington from 2010 to 2015, thinks Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. is the player that the franchise can select and become a cornerstone of the defense. While appearing on 106.7 The Fan, Palusen made his case.
In terms of sure things, I think Rueben Bain is about as on base as you’re going to get from a prospect standpoint. He plays the run well. He’s physical. Is he the best pass rusher in the class? No, but he’s got great instincts on the run. He’s competitive and tough, and his football character, supposedly, is off the charts. He strikes me as the most sure thing in this draft.”
From a prototypical point of view, the 2025 All-American edge rusher does not carve the silhouette of the classic edge rusher. Bain stands six-foot-three and weighs 270. His heavily muscled frame lacks the reach and arm length of most edge rushers. Yet one thing he possesses in abundance is power. He will bull rush with variety. Bain will use the strength-based move, but he will also use his hands to disrupt the lineman’s punch.
During his three seasons at the University of Miami, Bain tallied 33.5 tackles for loss, 20.5 sacks, and four fumbles. Down the stretch, he helped lead Miami’s defense to a College Football Playoff title game appearance. Pro Football Focus ranked him the No. 9 pass rusher in 2025. 15. 5 of his career sacks happened after October 15.
That means that he doesn’t pad statistics against lower-tier teams. As a result, the bright lights and big moments may not bother Bain. What would his role look like with the Commanders?
GettyRueben Bain closes on Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos.
Bain’s Role in Washington Begins as Day One Starter
Like most first-round picks, the expectation for Bain would begin as the immediate starter. Now, the question of where could become intriguing. New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones wants to employ a version of the 3-4 defensive front. With Bain’s explosion and power, fitting him on the edge makes sense. Against the pass, he can match power with many blockers, nullifying the advantage they possess.
However, Jones may not rule out the five-technique. If Lee continues his mentor Vrian Flores’ aggressive playcalling. Expect blitzes behind him. The offensive linemen will need to decide. Either they can take Bain and let the quarterback take their chances with the free rushers. Or, they can pick off the smaller defenders and hope the pass flies before Bain arrives. However, Bain will not be alone up front.
GettyMiami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. sacks Bethune-Cookman quarterback Timmy Mclain.
The Potential for a Big-Play Line Duo Exists With Jer’Zhan Newton
By pairing Bain and Newton, the Commanders could cause havoc for opponents. Newton, who outweighs Bain by 25 pounds, is actually quicker off the snap, beating blockers with a quick first step. Meanwhile, Bain plays with more strength. Under those circumstances, potentially lining them up next to each other or across the line would disrupt both the pass and run games.
Despite the defensive coordinator earning a reputation in the secondary, the Commanders could become a foundation for years to come.
Terrance Biggs Terrance started at heavy.com in January 2026
He is a veteran sportswriter with 12 years of experience, covering NFL, College, and MLB. Terrance has held positions at Sports Illustrated and Pro Football Sports Network. A graduate of Fort Hays State University with a bachelor’s in Communication, he is also a voting member of the Football Writers Association of America, United States Basketball Writers Association and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. More about Terrance Biggs
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