Rueben Bain Jr. Hype vs Reality | NFL News

0:00On September 2nd, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Rubin Bain Jr. 15th overall, and the hype around him has been through the roof. He's been compared to legends, named to an all-rookie team before even playing a game, and is already a favorite for defensive rookie of the year. Coaches and teammates are singing his praises, and it's easy to get caught up in the excitement. However, it's important to remember that Bain hasn't actually played a single regular season snap in the NFL yet. While his potential is undeniable, expecting him to immediately dominate the league might be setting the bar a little too high for a rookie. He could absolutely become one of the best past rushes down the line, but that level of immediate impact is a big ask. Lance Theorline from NFL.com broke down best in worst-case scenarios for him. In the best case, Bain explodes onto the scene with double-digit sacks and wins defensive rookie of the year. The Zeerline also acknowledges that the NFL game is a huge adjustment, and there's a real possibility Bain might struggle to meet those lofty.

1:01Expectations in his first year. Zeerline projects a stat line of 58 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks. He seems to lean towards the more optimistic outcome, but even if Bain falls short of that, it doesn't mean he can't be a pro bowl player eventually. It just means he'll need more time to adapt to the professional game. The good news for Bain and the Buccaneers is that he's joining a stacked defensive line. With talented players like Yaya Diabie and Vita Vaya already on the roster, defenses won't be able to solely focus on the rookie. This situation should give Bain plenty of opportunities to succeed and showcase his skills.