While the latest report is news to us, it isn't news to the NFL
A new report from Ollie Connolly about a driving incident that resulted in the death of a young woman involving Miami EDGE rusher Rueben Bain Jr., has sent shockwaves through NFL Twitter.
NFL teams were aware of the incident from the outset of the evaluation process. It is the job of teams to find out these details and hear the explanation from the player to properly understand and figure out whether it is an isolated incident or a predictor of the future.
When you bring someone into your building, you must know if the person will bring positives to the team and be part of the overall vision. Does the player represent the values your organization wants to display? The easiest thing to evaluate is the talent. The hardest is the person.
Even though teams are aware of the incident, you have to wonder if teams are completely hands off with drafting Bain, Jr. Teams in a position to draft Bain, Jr have asked him about the incident, and it's up to them to decide if the reward is worth the risk.
One thing to remember when hearing about these past incidents with college players is that they are kids, and people make mistakes. This brings us to the New Orleans Saints.
If seven teams pass on what many evaluators consider the top EDGE in the draft, should New Orleans, who need EDGE, select the Miami pass rusher? Early in the draft process, I'm sure Mickey Loomis and the front office never believed he would be available at pick eight. Landing an impact, young EDGE rusher at eight is incredible value.
This latest report is reminiscent of Jalen Carter's press conference at the NFL Scouting Combine a few years back. Right before Carter was scheduled to speak to the media, a report was released that Carter needed to turn himself in to Georgia authorities for his role in a driving incident.
Eventually, we ran down to his scrum in front of his podium as it was jam-packed, but Carter never showed. Philadelphia was aware of the incident and drafted Carter. He has been an impactful player with no incidents off the field.
Past incidents aren't an indicator of the future. Sometimes, they are as there are multiple examples of players not being able to keep themselves out of trouble.
The Saints should strongly consider Bain, Jr., as long as they feel like the incident is a blip on the radar.