In a recent look at every NFL team’s remaining offseason priorities, Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski included an interesting recommendation for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: unleash rookie edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr..
Sobleski’s point was simple. Rather than asking Bain to ease into his role, Tampa Bay should allow the former Miami standout to play the aggressive, physical brand of football that made him one of the most highly regarded defenders in the 2026 draft class.
The Buccaneers certainly need the help. Tampa Bay finished the 2025 season with just 37 sacks, and no player on the roster recorded eight sacks. While Yaya Diaby led the team with 7.5 sacks, the defense lacked a consistent game-changing presence off the edge.
That reality helps explain why Bain was such an important addition. Many evaluators viewed him as one of the top defensive talents in the draft, and the Buccaneers were fortunate to land him at No. 15 overall after spending much of the offseason exploring veteran pass-rush options.
The timing is important for Tampa Bay’s defense as well. The organization added veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone and rookie linebacker Josiah Trotter to help reshape the front seven, but improving the pass rush remains one of the fastest ways to improve the entire unit.
Sobleski believes Bain’s physicality and relentless style can help set that tone. Given Todd Bowles’ history of moving pass rushers around the formation, that could mean opportunities both on the edge and inside on passing downs.
The Buccaneers drafted Bain to impact games, not watch them. If Sobleski is right, Tampa Bay’s defense may benefit most by letting the rookie do exactly what earned him first-round status in the first place.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: The Bucs unleashing Rueben Bain Jr. would help their defense
Reporting by Mason Riney, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
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By Mason Riney, Buccaneers Wire | USA TODAY Network
