Buccaneers coach makes incredibly bold Rueben Bain Jr. prediction originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The idea for first-round draft picks is that they become key cogs on the team they are drafted to, and for Tampa Bay Buccaneers edge Rueben Bain Jr., he’s expected to fill a huge need for Todd Bowles.
But as we know, just because a player is a first-round pick, it isn’t a guarantee that they will become stars, so there is an element of luck and where you get drafted, such as Patrick Mahomes. Had he gone to the New York Jets, would he be what he is today? Not likely.
As for Bain Jr., he’ll be expected to come to Bowles’ defense and make an immediate impact from Day 1, and outside linebackers coach/run game coordinator Larry Foote has big hopes for what Rueben can become in the NFL.
“Off the film, if you had to bet, he’s going to be a star,” Foote said via the Pewter Report. “The way he plays the game, he’s explosive, plays with great leverage and it’s hard to block those guys.”
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Will Bain Jr. become a star?
It all depends on your definition of a star in the NFL, but going by his college stats and tape, many firmly believe that Rueben’s game will translate into the pros.
Now, what he’s asked to do by Bowles will also be a factor, but as far as a pure pass rusher, many have an idea of what Bain can produce.
If he manages eight or more sacks in his first year, that’s a great start, but to be a star, you have to produce to that level year after year.
Putting a lot of pressure on a rookie isn’t ideal, and while some rise to that challenge, others don’t, and it will be interesting to see how Bain Jr. fares in his NFL career.