The 2026 NFL Draft is officially here, and after the Raiders' shoo-in first pick, plenty of teams will be looking to shore up their pass rush in a draft class loaded with talent at the edge rusher position.
Miami (FL) EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. is one of the top pass-rush prospects in this class, expected to come off the board in the first round — but where could he land on draft night?
The explosive EDGE has been mocked anywhere from the fifth to the 18th pick, as the third-ranked EDGE prospect. The 2025 ACC Defensive Player of the Year helped lead a top-five Hurricanes defense to the National Championship game, with 5 sacks across four College Football Playoff games.
Below, find our full Rueben Bain NFL Draft profile, including Bain's draft prediction, college stats, combine results, NFL comparisons, and payouts on PrizePicks for draft night.
Make your 2026 NFL Draft predictions on PrizePicks Team Picks now, including on which team will draft Bain.
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Rueben Bain Jr. 2026 NFL Draft Profile: Scouting Report
Here's a quick summary of Miami (FL) EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.'s NFL Draft profile.
Rueben Bain Jr. Strengths
- Three-year starter at Miami and team captain
- Was second among FBS players with 67 pressures in 2025 (per PFF)
- Disruptive defender, projected as a consistent three-down player
- Explosive off the line, with elite speed-to-power directly to the chest of the blocker
- Great power and strength that wins 1-on-1 battles with quickness
- Surprisingly flexible on the edge given his thick frame
- Coached by Hall-of-Fame EDGE Jason Taylor at Miami
Rueben Bain Jr. Weaknesses
- Arm length measured under 31 inches, which ranks in the 1st percentile and falls well below the 33-inch average.
- Undersized for a traditional edge at 6'2", 263 lbs.
- Average first-step quickness and redirect ability
- Can struggle to break blocks when his initial strike is absorbed
- Missed-tackle rate above 20% in his career, which could be a liability in the run game
- Average closing burst to the QB.
- Discipline in maintaining primary gap coverage is consistent at times.
Rueben Bain Jr. NFL Draft Projections, Payouts
Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. is projected to be a first-round pick in Thursday’s draft. But how high will he go, and which team will take him?
While edge rushers Arvell Reese and David Bailey are expected to go in the top five picks, Bain's draft spot is a bit more up in the air. However, Bain is currently the clear favorite to be the third EDGE drafted (1.25x payout on PrizePicks).
Bain is currently favored to land inside the top 10 picks on PrizePicks Team Picks, with a 1.58x payout — or $100 to earn $158 — on Yes to be drafted top 10 (2.22x on No).
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However, Bain is only the favorite to be drafted in one top 10 spot: No. 9 to the Kansas City Chiefs. Bain currently has a 4.76x payout to be drafted by Kansas City, just a tick ahead of LSU CB Mansoor Delane (5x payout).
Bain is not among the top three favorites for any other top 10 draft spot. That implies that, if the Chiefs don't pick him, we could see Bain slide out of the top 10 picks on Thursday night.
Make your Rueben Bain Jr. NFL Draft predictions on PrizePicks.
NFL Draft futures payouts are live as of publishing, but are subject to change.
Rueben Bain Jr. Stats at Miami (FL)
Bain played three seasons at Miami, earning Freshman All-American in 2023, along with 2025 ACC Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-ACC honors this year. Here are his career totals:
- 38 games
- 121 tackles
- 33.5 tackles for loss
- 13 sacks
- 4 forced fumbles
Rueben Bain Jr. 2025 Stats
- 54 tackles (30 solo)
- 9.5 sacks
- 1 forced fumble
- 67 pressures (per PFF) — second best among EDGEs
- 54 QB hurries (per PFF) — first among EDGEs
Bain racked up 9.5 sacks in 2025, a career best. Most impressively, 6.5 of those came in the final five games of the season, all against ranked opponents (four in Playoff games).
His performance throughout the Playoff certainly helped his draft stock, but the lack of consistency also could be cause for concern at the next level.
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Rueben Bain Jr. Combine Results, Measurements
Bain did not participate in any drills during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, but he did participate in measurements, which later became a cause for concern.
- Height: 6'2¼"
- Weight: 263 lbs
- Arm: 30 ⅞"
- Hand: 9 ⅛"
- Wingspan: 75"
Rueben Bain Jr. Comparison: Dwight Freeney
Bain has shades of former Colts DE Dwight Freeney. The Colts legend wasn't supposed to work either, as he was undersized and lacked ideal length. Freney retired with 125.5 career sacks, seven Pro Bowls, and a bust in Canton.
Both Bain and Freeney possess the elite explosion off the snap, violent hands, and the same track of converting speed to power. Freeney was exceptional at winning 1:1 blocking battles, which Bain has gotten high marks for.
Bain will have to develop his second move to get home to the QB to produce like Freeney, but the core is here.
Freeney had the spin, and his counters kept tackles honest. Bain is not close to there yet — if he doesn't win early, he stalls. But he's got the base, now it's just about building on it.
Rueben Bain Jr. NFL Draft Prediction: Who Will Draft Bain?
Rueben Bain Jr. projects to hear his name called in the upper half of the first round on Thursday night. Our current mock has Bain going No. 9 overall to the Chiefs, though that's become less of a certainty as we near the draft.
Once seen as a potential top-five pick, Bain’s stock has fallen due to his small measurements.
The Bengals were thought to be one team that was considering Bain with pick No. 10, but then they traded for Dexter Lawrence last week.
Others in the top half of the draft that need a powerful EDGE rusher include the Chiefs (No. 9, 29), Cowboys (No. 12, 20), and Dolphins (No. 11, 30).
Behind the Chiefs at pick nine, the New York Jets (6.25x payout to pick Bain) and Dallas Cowboys (6.25x payout) are the favored teams to draft Bain on Thursday night, according to PrizePicks Team Picks.
Make 2026 NFL Draft Predictions on PrizePicks
Although Rueben Bain Jr. is favored to be a selected in the top 10 picks in Thursday's first round, the Kansas City Chiefs look like the only landing spot within that range for him.
Will Bain get drafted where he was expected to when the season ended, or will he slide down into the second half of the first round?
Don’t wait until draft night — make your 2026 NFL Draft picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right.
On PrizePicks Team Picks, there are thousands of ways to make your draft night predictions. Make picks on specific 2026 NFL Draft picks (like who will go No. 9 overall), team selections, position groups, and more.
Keep it right here with the Playbook for continued NFL Draft predictions, picks, news, and analysis as teams go on the clock this weekend.
