Should the Saints draft Rueben Bain Jr.?
Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. was viewed as the premier prospect for the New Orleans Saints during the 2026 college football season. However, his name has fallen off the radar because of… his arm length? This is the stated reason, but it doesn’t tell the full story. In actuality, the main rationale behind this is simply prospect fatigue. Regardless of this, Bain’s still an outstanding prospect who would be a perfect fit for the Saints at eight.
Simply put, Bain has been seen as a top prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft ever since May 2025. Because of this, fans have been talking about him ever since. This alone can cause fatigue, but is exponentially greater due to the rollercoaster of Bain’s season.
The former Hurricane’s year started off hot with an elite showing in week one against Notre Dame. He was still outstanding, but fell off the national radar and had a semi-quiet remainder of the year. However, this all changed in the College Football Playoffs, where he was nearly unstoppable and led the team to the championship game.
This trend continued in the offseason as Bain was ridiculed because of his 30⅞” arms, which are well under the NFL threshold. Now, he seems to be trending back up after his pro day, where he showcased his impressive athleticism and bend around the edge.
Although this keeps Bain’s name in the national media, it has caused analysts and scouts to subconsciously become “tired” of his name, thus causing him to fall in mock drafts. He’s still mocked to the Saints some, but is a much more enticing option than the national media perceives.
Bain to the Saints is an immaculate fit. Arguably, the team’s biggest need is edge rusher, as they haven’t addressed it yet this offseason. Additionally, he’s a game-wrecker on the defensive line who can be a three-down impactful player.
Bain is dominant against the run. He uses his staggering power to displace offensive linemen and instantly penetrate the backfield. It’s challenging for an opposing player to fend him off for long enough and eliminate him from the play.
Then, he’s even more impressive against the pass. He’s a triple threat rusher: he can win with speed and bend around the edge, power, and with technique. Bain has a full arsenal of pass rush moves and uses them to constantly keep the opposition guessing.
Overall, Rueben Bain Jr. is an elite option for the Saints in the first round. His name hasn’t been brought up enough due to prospect fatigue, but the Saints would be lucky if he’s available at pick eight.