Rueben Bain is making waves as one of the standout Miami players at this week's NFL Combine in Indianapolis. With the spotlight on his performance, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. is keeping a close watch on how Bain's workout and testing numbers will impact his draft stock.
Bain's time at Miami was nothing short of impressive. Over three seasons, he racked up 121 tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, and 20.5 sacks, alongside forcing four fumbles and snagging an interception. Despite missing four games during his sophomore year due to injury, Bain was on track to break into the top 10 for sacks in Miami's storied history.
His dominance was on full display during the College Football Playoffs, where he recorded 17 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, and 5.0 sacks against heavyweights like Texas A&M, Ohio State, and Indiana. Mississippi managed to keep him to just one tackle, but that was the exception, not the rule.
Kiper praises Bain's production, highlighting his 9.5 sacks and 71 pressures last season. Bain's game is built on raw power, relentless hustle, and a versatile array of pass-rush moves.
However, scouts are curious about his arm length at 6-foot-3, 275 pounds, and his 40-yard dash time will be crucial in assessing his speed. Kiper currently ranks him ninth overall but notes that a strong showing in Indianapolis could propel him into the top five.
Matt Miller, another ESPN analyst, echoes concerns about Bain's arm length, noting that some teams might be wary of his sub-32-inch arms despite his impressive stats. Bain's weight is also under scrutiny, with the possibility of him transitioning to defensive tackle if he weighs in at 285 pounds. Alternatively, he could trim down to fit better as an edge rusher.
In 2025, Bain played 263 run defensive snaps and 440 pass defensive snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. Miami often utilized him inside on pass rush plays, and his professional position will likely depend on which team drafts him.
Kiper projects Bain to go 10th overall to the Cincinnati Bengals in his latest mock draft. If Bain is available at that spot, Kiper believes the Bengals should waste no time in securing him.
Bain would reunite with former Miami head coach Al Golden, now Cincinnati's defensive coordinator. The Bengals, who struggled last season with a 6-11 record and ranked low in defensive stats, could certainly use Bain's prowess on their roster.
Myles Murphy led the Bengals with just 5.5 sacks last year, and with the addition of Bain, Cincinnati could bolster a defense in need of reinforcements. The Bengals also have Shermar Stewart, a first-round pick from the previous draft, who contributed 11 tackles and a sack in his rookie season. Bain's arrival could be the catalyst Cincinnati needs to turn their defensive fortunes around.