CBS Sports viewed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ selection of Rueben Bain Jr. as a strong fit for a defense needing more help up front, particularly against the run and along the edge of the defensive line.
The evaluation focused on Bain’s physical style of play and immediate ability to contribute, while also acknowledging that Tampa Bay cannot realistically expect a rookie to completely transform the pass rush on his own right away.
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Tampa Bay needed more disruption after finishing with only 37 sacks in 2025, but the larger issue was the inconsistency of the front throughout stretches of the season.
Bain should help immediately in run defense because of his strength and play style, which gives Todd Bowles a young EDGE defender capable of holding up physically instead of functioning strictly as a situational pass rusher.
The bigger question will be how quickly his pass-rush production happens. Tampa Bay already has Yaya Diaby returning in a major role, so the defense does not need Bain to carry the unit alone early in his career.
What the Buccaneers needed was some new blood in the building on the edge of the line, and they got just that by drafting Bains.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: CBS Sports evaluates Buccaneers drafting Rueben Bain Jr.