An analyst argues a promising pass rusher's measurables disqualify him for a top-ten pick, sparking debate over historical Saints drafting trends.
The New Orleans Saints have a tremendous opportunity ahead with the No. 8 pick in the NFL draft. They will need to be decisive in how they use their first round pick.
As you might expect, there are several strong opinions on where the team should go with their first round draft selection. Earlier in the process, we pushed back against the notion that New Orleans should draft Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
In recent weeks, we have been more cautious about the top two cornerbacks as options for the Saints in Tennessee's Jermod McCoy and LSU's Mansoor Delane. Neither corner stands out as a guarantee to succeed early in his NFL career, though the potential may well be there.
One analyst placed a surprise player on the no-draft list. Clutch Points' Garrett Kerman writes that the Saints should not draft Rueben Bain Jr. According to Kerman, Bain's measurables disqualify him from being taken at No. 8.
"Historically, the Saints heavily prioritize prototypical size and length at the defensive end position. Bain is the definition of a “tweener.” He lacks the length to consistently set the edge against NFL tackles, isn't fast enough for off-ball linebacker, and doesn't have the mass to kick inside to defensive tackle full-time. While his high motor allowed him to dominate college linemen, he will routinely get swallowed up by the wingspans of professional tackles. Drafting a dimensional outlier is a massive gamble New Orleans cannot afford.
The 2026 NFL Draft will certainly shape the future of the Saints. While the idea of selecting a well-prepared receiver like Tate, or a successful college pass rusher like Bain, is appealing, a closer look at the data suggests that neither player offers the value needed for a top-ten pick."
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (1) is tackled by New Orleans Saints safety Jordan Howden (31) during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn ImagesWingspan could be cause for concern for an edge rusher. Nevertheless, the Saints have fared well with players who do not have the desired measurables. The low hanging fruit here is 6-foot-tall quarterback Drew Brees, the franchise's best ever player. Brees' height did not prevent him from setting several franchise records and finishing as arguably the most accurate quarterback in NFL history.
The Saints did not draft Brees. They brought him over as a free agent. They did, however, draft short-armed left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. That draft pick appears to be working out well though some suggested his short arms could move Banks into the guard position.
Kerman is correct in that measurables do matter. Even so, there's a world in which Bain excels in the NFL despite his measurables because of what he proved in games on the field. We'll see what NFL teams think of Bain when they draft later this month.