As if Week 1 in the NFL wasn't exciting enough, this Sunday will also give us the long-awaited debut of Tampa Bay Buccaneers star rookie Rueben Bain Jr.

Since arriving in Tampa, Bain has looked like a future superstar. After concerns about his arm length caused the former Miami Hurricane to astoundingly drop into the Bucs' lap at pick 15, the standout edge rusher has spent months making the teams that passed on him look foolish.

He is the most anticipated rookie Tampa has had in a long time. Over the last few seasons, the Bucs' defense has fallen well short of living up to the fearsome reputation it has earned with players like Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber, and others.

Bain was drafted to change that.

It is almost impossible to overstate how impressive Bain has looked this offseason. Everyone who has seen him practice has been left in awe of his talent and in shock that he lasted until the middle of the first round.

Over the course of the offseason, Bain has earned comparisons to an NFL legend, become the favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, and even made a Tampa legend second-guess his own retirement.

While Bain "has been as advertised," it is one thing to dominate the offseason and another thing to dominate in real games.

Bain gets his first chance on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. 

What can the Bucs, and the fans, realistically expect from the rookie in his debut?

Bain gets the Bengals as his first opponent, which is like winning the lottery as an edge rusher.

Cincinnati allowed 36 sacks last year, which isn't too bad.

At least for Cincinnati.

In the previous five seasons, covering star quarterback Joe Burrow's entire career, the Bengals gave up 48, 50, 44, 55, and 48 sacks.

Needless to say, Burrow has spent a lot of his time in the NFL running for his life, and has the injury history to prove it.

The Bengals have had offensive line issues for years, and that isn't expected to change this season. ESPN ranked Cincinnati's line 30th out of the 32 teams heading into Week 1. PFF is a bit higher on the Bengals' line, ranking it 20th in the league. 

A guy looking to get his very first sack in his very first game could do a lot worse for an opponent.

Tampa invested a lot of resources into improving its defense this offseason. 

Bain will not be the only rookie in the lineup on Sunday. Second-round linebacker Josiah Trotter has also looked impressive in camp and will be joining Bain in the starting lineup.

Alex Anzalone. A'Shawn Robinson and Al-Quadin Muhammad were all added in free agency. Last year's fourth-round pick, David Walker, who missed his entire rookie year with a torn ACL, will be making his own regular-season debut. Walker, like Bain, has looked terrific in camp.

Defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, who was one of the best young defensive tackles in the NFL before tearing a pectoral muscle in Week 2 last year, is also returning. Kancey missed weeks 3-17 last season before making a cameo in Week 18. He has been labeled as a potential X-factor for the Bucs this season.

The new additions and injury returns should greatly benefit Bain and YaYa Diaby, who will be starting opposite Bain at the other outside linebacker spot. Diaby led Tampa with seven sacks in 2025 and could approach double digits this season with all the reinforcements the defense has received.

Bain and Diaby could form a very scary pass-rushing duo this season.

Everything is setting up nicely for Bain to have a memorable debut.

The combination of a strong Tampa defense and a weak Cincinnati offensive line should give Bain a great chance to record his first-ever sack in his debut. It's more likely than not that he will.

Projected Stat Line: 4 total tackles, 1 sack, 2 QB hits, 3 hurries, 6 pressures