The accolades keep coming for Tampa Bay Buccaneers' star rookie Rueben Bain Jr., who was selected 15th overall by the team back in April.

Ever since he was drafted, Bain has looked like a future star, impressing both his coaches and teammates throughout the offseason. He has been praised for his football IQ by Tampa's outside linebacker coach, Larry Foote, who also compared the rookie to his former Pittsburgh Steelers teammate, NFL legend James Harrison.

It is becoming more and more astounding that Bain lasted until the middle of the first round. He had been thought of as possibly the best defensive player in the entire draft, but his arm length didn't measure up to NFL edge rusher standards, causing him to slide on draft night.

As the season approaches, the excitement and expectations for Bain's rookie year continue to rise. He was recently named the top candidate for the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year award and is being counted on to become the face and leader for the next generation of Tampa's defense.

You can add another honor to Bain's ever-growing collection.

Bain was just named to the 2026 NFL All-Rookie Team, chosen by Gennaro Filice of NFL.com. Despite a loaded draft class, Bain was the only Bucs rookie selected to the team.

Filice also can't believe that Bain lasted until pick 15, and called Tampa's decision to draft him a "no-brainer." He is impressed by the former Miami Hurricane's power and game-wrecking ability, while also noting how Bain came up big during Miami's run in the College Football Playoff, where they lost to Indiana in the Championship Game.

"I guess I don't care about arm length. After extensive discussion about his 30 7/8-inch arm measurement, Bain stunningly lasted until the 15th pick of the draft. It was a no-brainer selection for the Buccaneers, who just finished in the bottom half of the league in sacks for the first time since the Dirk Koetter era in Tampa Bay. Bain piled up five sacks in four College Football Playoff games, finishing the season with an FBS-high 83 QB pressures, per Pro Football Focus. He's a violent game-wrecker with heavy hands and explosive power, but Todd Bowles came away from minicamp most impressed by the 21-year-old's football IQ.

"'For me, it is his intelligence, his understanding of the game,' the Bucs coach said in June, via the team website. "There are some things that you cannot teach, and he does not learn like a normal rookie, and he does some things that a three- or four-year guy can do.'"

The Bucs couldn't believe Bain fell into their laps. After a season in which the defense did not meet expectations, had its effort questioned, and did not come close to living up to the fearsome reputation Tampa's defenses once had, drafting Bain was a Godsend for the Bucs.

Bowles, who had built a great reputation as a defensive genius, has not had a top-10 defense for years. Already on the hot seat to begin the season, Bowles will need to work his magic, if there is still some left, with Bain. If the rookie can play up to his enormous potential, it will give the entire defense a boost.

At this point, it is fair to expect that Bain will be named to every All-Rookie team and be everyone's favorite to win DROY. While he still has to prove it once the real games start, Bain's All-Pro-level talent has been noticeable since the day he arrived in Tampa.

It may be unfair to say, but anything less than winning DROY would be a disappointment after all the hype Bain has been getting. It wouldn't be surprising to see him selected to the Pro Bowl, even as a rookie. The Bucs are facing a ton of pressure to return to the playoffs this season. Having Bain meet expectations would go a long way toward making that happen.

Bain's debut with the Bucs is one of the most anticipated in recent memory. Can he make every team that passed on him regret it? 

He has far too much talent to bet against.

Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!