The expectations surrounding Rueben Bain Jr. haven't slowed down since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected him with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Now, two analysts believe his impact could be felt immediately.
Check the Mic's Sam Monson and Steve Palazzolo both expressed confidence in what Bain could bring to Tampa Bay's defense as a rookie. Monson went so far as to compare his potential impact to what Jared Verse brought to the Los Angeles Rams.
"He has a chance to completely change this defense in a way that Jared Verse stepped into the Rams," Monson said.
That's a big expectation for a player who hasn't taken a regular-season NFL snap, but it lines up with the buzz surrounding Bain since he arrived in Tampa Bay. The Bucs drafted
him to help a pass rush that needed another difference-maker, and early reports from the organization have consistently pointed toward Bain having a significant role from the start.
Tampa Bay also won't need Bain to handle the pass rush alone. YaYa Diaby remains part of the group, veteran Al-Quadin Muhammad was added in free agency, and David Walker Jr. has been making noise after returning from the torn ACL that cost him his rookie season.
What Bain can add to that group remains the biggest question. Monson and Palazzolo believe he can make an immediate impact, while Monson's Verse comparison raises expectations even further.
There is still a long way to go before Bain proves any of that on Sundays. For now, though, the belief that Tampa Bay may have found a player capable of changing its defense continues to grow.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Rueben Bain Jr. could 'completely change' the Bucs' defense
