The Washington Commanders have made significant investments in their pass rush this offseason, bringing in talents like Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson. Yet, as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, they might still find themselves eyeing Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. at the No. 7 overall pick, should he be available.
Bain's dominance with the Hurricanes last season was undeniable, but his sub-31-inch arms have raised eyebrows among scouts, marking him as an outlier for first-round picks and long-term NFL success. However, not everyone is buying into the arm-length critique.
An anonymous Big Ten assistant coach didn't mince words, dismissing the concerns outright. "All those people who talk about how short his arms are are idiots," he passionately stated.
"This is just asinine conversation that people are having. Watch his film.
He’s gonna be a dude... He’s elite, man.
Did you watch his pro day? He can get his right shoulder almost on the ground when he’s turning the corner, and the violence he’s coming out of it with - what he did in that drill is rare."
Despite the Commanders' new additions, Bain should still be on the radar of Adam Peters, the team's decision-maker. Bain's arm length might be a talking point, but his ability to overpower top-tier offensive linemen with his aggressive play style is what truly sets him apart. Known as the best run-defending pass rusher in this draft class, Bain's repertoire of pass-rush moves and his relentless on-field demeanor make him a standout sack artist.
While some may hesitate over his measurements, Bain's performance speaks volumes. Drills and measurements have their place, but Bain's track record of near-dominance can't be ignored.
Landing with a coach like Dan Quinn, known for his expertise in molding defensive linemen, could be ideal for Bain. Quinn's ability to adapt players to his scheme might allow Bain to thrive by utilizing his strengths.
Bain's arm length might keep him from cracking the top five, but when Washington is on the clock at No. 7, they'll have a tough decision to make. Bain's potential impact on the field could be too compelling to pass up.