The Buccaneers used the 15th overall pick on Rueben Bain Jr. because they believed he could bring what their defensive front had been missing: a disruptive presence who could create pressure while holding his own against the run. Through eight weeks, the rookie is still developing, but his latest performance against Atlanta offered another encouraging sign of what Tampa Bay could have in him. In Pro Football Focus’ latest breakdown of all 32 first-round rookies, Bain earned a 68.6 defensive grade for his performance in Tampa Bay’s 16-0 shutout of the Falcons. It was his second-highest grade of the season, and his production has trended up over the past three weeks.
Bain recorded two quarterback hurries against Atlanta, marking the third consecutive game in which he has generated at least two. He finished with a 64.5 pass rush grade, continuing to make opposing quarterbacks uncomfortable even when he doesn’t get home for a sack. His contributions weren’t limited to rushing the passer, either. Bain earned three positive grades in run defense, helping Tampa Bay keep Atlanta below 100 rushing yards. For a defensive front that needs to be effective on all fronts, that versatility matters. Generating pressure is one thing, but holding up against the run makes a young edge defender much more valuable. There is still work to do. Bain’s overall rookie grade is 47.4, ranking 12th among the 15 first-round players in PFF’s defensive and offensive rookie rankings. That number reflects the growing pains of adjusting to the NFL and shows plenty of room for improvement. However, the recent trend is worth watching. Bain has now put together three straight games with multiple quarterback hurries, giving Tampa Bay a more consistent pass-rush presence from its first-round selection.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs rookie quietly putting together impressive stretch of games
