The countdown to the Bucs’ 2026 season is on. Proper now, we’re:
63 days away from Bucs common season kickoff33 days away from Bucs preseason kickoff17 days away from Bucs coaching camp
Within the lead-up to coaching camp, Pewter Report’s Bailey Adams might be diving into storylines for 26 key figures who might be essential to the Bucs’ success in 2026.
Right this moment, the sequence continues with exterior linebacker Rueben Bain Jr.
26 For ‘26: Rueben Bain Jr. Bucs Storylines In 2026
Which Quarterback Will Rueben Bain Jr. Sack First In His Rookie Season?
It’s a query that will get requested to edge rushers a complete lot in the course of the pre-draft course of, and a few are even requested of their introductory press conferences: Which opposing quarterback are you wanting ahead to sacking essentially the most? Most take the strategy of merely replying with “all of them,” which, yeah, honest sufficient. So, let’s reframe the query because it pertains to Bain, Tampa Bay’s first-round decide within the 2026 NFL Draft.
Which opposing quarterback will Bain take down first? The Bucs actually hope their No. 15 general decide collects his justifiable share of sacks as a rookie after which builds resume stuffed with quarterbacks — big-name guys or not — who he’s taken to the bottom. Who’s the primary one going to be, although? It’s fascinating the best way Tampa Bay’s schedule performs out with this query in thoughts.
Bucs edge Rueben Bain Jr., GM Jason Licht and HC Todd Bowles – Picture by: Cliff Welch P/R
As a result of if Bain will get his first profession sack in Week 1, it’ll be in opposition to one of many league’s best in Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. But when his first is available in Week 2, it’ll be much less of a reputation — regardless of who the Browns begin beneath middle. It may very well be Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders, which is probably not fairly as memorable as Burrow. Nevertheless, it could imply Bain’s first sack as a Buc coming in entrance of the house followers at Raymond James Stadium, so there’s that.
You’d assume Bain will get to the quarterback inside the first couple of weeks, however coming down the pipeline after that? There’s the Vikings quarterback, whoever it could be between J.J. McCarthy or Kyler Murray. In Week 4, a much bigger title comes round in Packers quarterback Jordan Love. Then comes Cowboys signal-caller Dak Prescott beneath the lights on Thursday Night time Soccer in Week 5.
Past the query of which quarterback Bain will sack first, there’s the final actuality that the younger cross rusher can have a number of the league’s high quarterbacks in his sights all through his rookie marketing campaign based mostly purely on the best way the Bucs’ schedule units up. Along with Burrow, Love and Prescott, there’s Pittsburgh’s Aaron Rodgers (Week 6), Chicago’s Caleb Williams (Week 9), Detroit’s Jared Goff (Week 11), the Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert (Week 13), Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson (Week 14) and the Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford (Week 17).
How Many Sacks Can Rueben Bain Jr. Tally In 2026?
With the primary query centering on which quarterback Bain will sack first in 2026, the pure development signifies that the following query is just a little one thing like this: What number of sacks will Bain rack up in his rookie season with the Bucs?
Bain was at Miami for 3 seasons and posted 7.5 sacks as a freshman in 2023, 3.5 as a sophomore in 2024 and 9.5 in his junior season a yr in the past. He labored as a part of a formidable cross dashing duo with Akheem Mesidor, and now he’ll kind a duo with Yaya Diaby in Tampa Bay. As a lot as Bain’s presence appeared to assist Mesidor and as a lot because it’ll assist Diaby, there’s a case to be made that Diaby’s presence off the opposite edge will assist Bain greater than Mesidor’s did at Miami.
Bucs OLB Rueben Bain Jr. – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
That would imply much more sack alternatives for No. 3 in his rookie season. So, what’s the ceiling? Jevon Kearse nonetheless holds the rookie sack file of 14.5, which he set for the Titans in 1999. However might Bain problem the longstanding franchise file for sacks by a rookie? Santana Dotson set that in 1992 from the defensive sort out place, ending the yr with 10.
Bain by no means hit double-digit sacks throughout his three seasons at Miami, however he very a lot has that potential in him. James Pearce Jr. tallied 10.5 as a rookie for Atlanta final yr. However are these expectations an excessive amount of to placed on a 21-year-old Bain in 12 months 1, particularly contemplating that the Bucs haven’t had a double-digit sacker since Shaq Barrett completed with 10 in 2021?
Whether or not he challenges Dotson’s Bucs file or not, Bain would appear to have a very good shot at having one of many higher cross dashing seasons ever by a Tampa Bay rookie. As a result of behind Dotson’s 10-sack 1992 season, the second-most quarterback captured by a rookie got here in 2007 when Stylez G. White tallied eight. Simply behind White’s eight? The 7.5 Diaby posted in 2023 and the 7.5 Adrian Clayborn totaled 12 years earlier than that.
What do you assume, Pewter Folks? What number of sacks do you see Bain notching as a rookie in 2026?
How A lot Of A Pressure Multiplier Can Rueben Bain Jr. Be For The Bucs Protection?
In terms of measuring Bain’s impression on the Buccaneer protection in 2026, it received’t simply be about sack numbers and pressures. It received’t be about tackles for loss or pressured fumbles both, although each would assist, after all. Somewhat, it’ll be in regards to the alternatives he creates for his teammates round him.
Bucs OLB Rueben Bain Jr. – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
That’s why Bain appears to be like like he may very well be such a transformative addition for the Bucs protection. As a result of as a lot cross dashing prowess as he possesses and nearly as good as he could be at setting the sting and defending the run, the 2026 first-round decide is a drive multiplier. We’ve talked about it and written about it lots right here at Pewter Report. However that’s as a result of it’s the reality.
Bain elevates the gamers round him, for one, and he creates alternatives for his teammates to make performs simply as usually as he makes the performs himself. Have a look at the 11.5 sacks Akheem Mesidor had at Miami final yr. How a lot did Bain’s presence assist him attain that quantity? What number of of these sacks got here from Bain flushing the quarterback towards his teammate?
What about versatile defensive again Keionte Scott, who was teammates with Bain at Miami and can now staff up with him once more in Tampa Bay? All 5 of Scott’s sacks final yr got here when he was aligned on the identical aspect of the formation as Bain. In different phrases, when the 2 rushed from the identical course, it meant good issues for Scott — and for the Hurricanes protection.
Now, take into consideration the items the Bucs have on their protection in 2026. Up entrance, Yaya Diaby, Calijah Kancey, Vita Vea, A’Shawn Robinson, Al-Quadin Muhammad, David Walker and extra will profit from what Bain brings to the desk. The within linebackers — specifically Alex Anzalone and fellow rookie Josiah Trotter — might reap their very own advantages, as can defensive backs like Scott and safeties Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tykee Smith.
It felt like Tampa Bay’s whole offseason rotated when it landed Bain within the first spherical of April’s draft. And there’s a great purpose for that.
Catch Up On Earlier Installments Of Bailey Adams’ 26 For ’26 Collection
OFFENSE:
Baker MayfieldBucky IrvingKenny GainwellChris Godwin Jr.Emeka EgbukaJalen McMillanCade OttonTristan WirfsBen BredesonGraham BartonCody MauchLuke Goedeke
DEFENSE:
Yaya Diaby
