The NFL is perpetually evolving, putting emphasis on different body types and athletic traits as teams look to remain a step ahead of the competition. Speed has dominated the game, forcing defenses into two-high shells with smaller linebackers meant to cover new-age tight ends. Offenses have responded by running the ball more, creating a new need on the defensive line.
Teams are searching for bigger defensive ends who can stay on the field for early downs and mitigate the weaknesses that come with seven-man boxes. In the 2025 NFL Draft, Penn State star Abdul Carter was the first edge rusher off the board, but the next two -- Shemar Stewart and Mykel Williams -- are both imposing physical specimens. They have the frame and play strength to hold up against the run and the athleticism to inspire pass-rushing upside.
Looking forward to the 2026 NFL Draft, Miami Hurricanes edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. stands out as the next first-round talent from that archetype.
Bain's versatility stands out
At 6'2" and 275 pounds, Bain's usage paints a picture for how he might be weaponized at the next level. According to Pro Football Focus, he played 72 snaps over the B gap, 83 over opposing tackles, and 261 outside the tackle as a sophomore. In 2023, he played another 118 snaps over interior linemen.
That usage could very well continue in the NFL, asking him to play on the edge on early downs while moonlighting inside for passing downs when necessary.
As a pass rusher, there's a lot to like. He wins most often with his speed-to-power, made possible by great burst. His size shows up, too, allowing him to punish tackles with his bull rush and using his power to open the door for his above-average technique. He regularly gets his hands inside, has flashed an assortment of moves, and does a good job of countering opposing tackles' first strike.
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Bain maintains his speed well through contact, making him dangerous when slipping through interior gaps. His feel for leverage is strong and he plays the run well from various alignments, even if he'll only end up moving inside to pressure the quarterback.
He enters his junior year more nuanced than the bigger edge rushers of years past, setting himself up to be a first-round pick in April.
The risk of being a 'tweener
Bain's profile is exciting because of his versatility, but that's a line he must continue to toe. He wouldn't be the first prospect who turns out to be too small for the interior and too slow for the edge, so struggling at either spot in 2025 would warrant further investigation.
Elsewhere, the biggest hole in Bain's pass-rushing profile is bend, which looks far more mediocre than his burst, power, and hand usage. That limits his potency and his ability to win around the corner, perhaps capping his upside in the process.
For as polished as Bain is as a pass rusher, he's been burdened by tackling woes, including seven missed tackles a season ago. The issue followed him through his first two seasons, giving him something to iron out in 2025.
2025 Midseason Update
Through the first month of the season, the early returns on Bain's performance have been equally astounding and undeniable. He's been the best player in the sport through four games and checked every box in the process.
Bain jumped off the screen in the season opener against Notre Dame and made some of the most impactful plays of the game. He continued his dominance against low-level schools like Bethune-Cookman, another ranked opponent in South Florida, and a talented Florida Gators squad. In each game, he's logged a tackle for loss, and Bain has totaled two sacks and 22 tackles through four weeks.
#Miami DL Rueben Bain vs. Notre Dame
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) September 1, 2025
The prospect that I had circled for Week 1 didn’t disappoint. Finished with 6 tackles, 0.5 sack and an INT. pic.twitter.com/TS0isDQUTJ
There were some lingering injury concerns entering the year, and Bain has quickly put them to rest. His bend looks significantly better than it did a season ago, and he has maintained his prowess as a run defender and pass-rushing technician that made him a top prospect during summer scouting.
He is entrenched in the EDGE1 conversation with Keldric Faulk and could very well be the first non-quarterback off the board in April. Conference play will simply be a matter of keeping up the momentum he established in September.
Bain's current projection
Bain will enter the 2025 campaign as one of the best defensive players in the country. His blend of size and speed elicits high-level upside, and Miami isn't afraid to move him around to chase matchups and wreak havoc.
A soft-tissue injury limited Bain to just nine games as a sophomore. He posted just 3.5 sacks and six tackles for loss in 2024, but his 7.5-sack freshman campaign helps brush off some of those concerns.
He'll look to make an immediate impact against Notre Dame to start the season before a potential playoff run pits him against the sport's top talent. Bain's flaws could push him down the board with a poor season, especially if his production doesn't rebound. However, in a strong crop of edge rushers, Bain's ability to play the run without sacrificing pass-rushing prowess should keep him in the top half of the first round.
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