Analyst names Buccaneers rookie set for big impact
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Analyst names Buccaneers rookie set for big impact originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one clear draft approach in mind, and that is to get Todd Bowles a genuine pass rusher.
Holding the No. 15 overall pick, the Buccaneers saw Miami stud Rueben Bain Jr. fall into their laps, and the franchise couldn't turn that draft card in quick enough.
Now he comes to the NFC South looking to collect quarterbacks' souls as part of Bowles' defense, and in truth, he has all the tools to do it.
For Sports Illustrated's Daniel Flick, he's named Bain as one draft pick who he expects to impact his team from Day 1.
"Bain, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, figured to be long gone by No. 15," Flick wrote. "Instead, the Buccaneers nabbed one of the best value picks of the first round and landed a ready-made pass rusher who owns a deep bag of moves, efficient hands and unrelenting power.
"Bain’s arm length drew questions during the draft process, but his tape showed a disruptive game-wrecker, which Tampa Bay desperately needs."
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Buccaneers face defining 2026 season
With the 2025 failure still fresh in fans' memories, the Buccaneers and Bowles are under pressure to ensure it doesn't happen again.
But it won't be easy.
The Atlanta Falcons will be improved, so too the Carolina Panthers, while the New Orleans Saints proved last season that they aren't pushovers.
So, the Buccaneers will have their work cut out, but this time, they have a genuine game-wrecker in their ranks, so it is easy to see why Bain could feast early and often in 2026.
He's paid to hunt quarterbacks, and I bet it won't take long before he starts collecting souls for fun.