Now comes the waiting for former Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr., for reasons that go beyond his short arms.
The Read Optional reported over the weekend that Bain was cited for careless driving in a 2024 accident that injured a 22-year-old woman who spent three months in a coma before dying. Although the charge was dismissed by a court, Bain joins a list of draft prospects whose pasts have been scrutinized by NFL teams asking themselves two key questions:
Some players were relieved to find out their past had minimal (if any) impact on where they were drafted. For others, it can be costly, although determining how precisely much it led to a player’s free fall is subjective.
Not open to opinion, however, is how costly this can be when players do drop. The NFL’s rookie salary scale calls for a package worth a minimum of $29.6 million for a top-10 pick. But the numbers drop to $19.9 million for top 20 and $16.1 million for top 32/end of the first round.
In Bain’s case, there already were questions on whether his arm length (30 7/8 inches) might be a hinderance in the NFL.
In no particular order, here are some notable examples of players whose draft stock was debated, including several with Miami connections:
Auburn QB Cam Newton
No. 1 overall, Carolina
A stolen laptop and an NCAA investigation could have clouded this choice, but the Panthers went with Newton, who went on to win an NFL MVP award.
Ole Miss OT Laremy Tunsil
No. 13 in 2016, Miami
Shortly before the draft began, offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil’s social media account was hacked and a video was posted of him with a bong. He fell several notches to 13th overall — to Miami — but went on to make five Pro Bowls after being traded to Houston following three seasons with the Dolphins.
Ole Miss DT Robert Nkemdiche
No. 29 in 2016, Arizona
Months before the draft, Nkemdiche fell about 15 feet from a hotel room window in Atlanta, leading to a charge of marijuana possession. In the eyes of some teams, Nkemdiche may have compounded his problems at the NFL Combine when he answered reporters’ questions about the incident by mentioning that Tunsil was in the room with him, although he stopped short of saying the marijuana was Tunsil’s. Nkemdiche even blamed the media for tarnishing his name before walking that back. Nkemdiche’s NFL career lasted only 38 games, including two with Miami in 2019, but his most recent past is equally strange, including being accused by police in Georgia of stealing almond milk from a Kroger’s grocery store.
Nebraska RB Lawrence Phillips
No. 6 in 1996, St. Louis Rams
Phillips was a dangerous back who entered the draft despite various incidents including domestic violence. He never lived up to that promise, topping out with 677 yards for St. Louis and Miami in 1997.
Pittsburgh QB Dan Marino
No. 27 in 1983, Miami
Unfounded rumors of recreational drug use were blamed for his fall deep into the first round. You know the rest.
Marshall WR Randy Moss and Miami DT Warren Sapp
No. 36 in 1998, Minnesota (Moss) and No. 12 in 1995, Tampa Bay (Sapp)
There were character questions with Moss and drug questions with Sapp. Both went on to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel
No. 22 in 2014, Cleveland
“Johnny Football” had questions about whether he was more interested in parties than football. The Browns took a chance. What they got in return: an NFL career lasting 14 games.
Georgia DT Jalen Carter
No. 9 in 2023, Philadelphia
Carter’s involvement in a fatal crash in Athens, Ga., raised questions on his draft stock. Teams inquiring about his character didn’t exactly hear glowing reports about his attitude. The Eagles talked it over and decided he was worth the risk. Carter has made the Pro Bowl two of his first three NFL seasons. Now there are questions on whether the Eagles will pick up his fifth-year option at more than $27 million. Carter entered his contract year in 2025 on a sour note. Six seconds into the season, he was tossed out of a game vs. Dallas for spitting on QB Dak Prescott.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Will Rueben Bain Jr. slide in NFL Draft? What history tells us
Reporting by Hal Habib, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
