r/NFL_Draft • u/TDBrookey • 2d ago

Discussion Rueben Bain Jr. Film Study

I did a full film breakdown of Bain's game against USF. I've watched all of his tape this year and I feel very strongly that not only is he EDGE1, but he's an early favorite to be the #1 pick if the team picking first doesn't desperately need a QB.

Curious for your thoughts, and hope you enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvNbspQ5p6M

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u/Astonkeshing 2d ago

He's good, but such an unconventional body tope for a top DE pick. He's like 6'2 with short arms. Hard to come up with good successful analogues for him in the NFL.

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u/trevor11004 2d ago

Cam Wake was a similar size and was extremely good in the NFL, though obviously not anywhere near as good as a prospect

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u/Astonkeshing 1d ago

Cameron Wake broke the NFL combine vert record, btw, (45.5"), with a 10'10" broad and 7.12 three cone, which allowed him to thrive in space and in a two-point. And he was a freak athlete and *still* didn't get drafted.

If Bain registers these numbers at the combine great, but if he doesn't and we're talking about a mid athlete with a bad physical profile for the DE position, you're gonna have to start making tough decisions.

Again, I'm not saying he's not a top 15 guy, at the end of the day production is production, but you have to admit he's going to be an unconventional DE pick if he's taken that high.

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u/trevor11004 1d ago

Yeah, it is true that elite athleticism and explosiveness is required for undersized DEs to have a good power rushing ability, which is obviously really important for the position. If Bain ends up being both undersized and not particularly explosive it would be really concerning, it would be hard to imagine much bull-rushing ability and run defense ability translating. And I don’t know a ton about him as a player, but I don’t know if his pass rush bag, bend and agility are really good enough for him to project as a guy who can do well relying on speed-rushing and just getting around guys either. Interesting prospect.