The Titans hosted Miami edge rusher and projected first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. for a pre-draft visit this week, per NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe.
Bain, 21, is among the more polarizing prospects in this year’s class. He has posted elite production over the last three years (20.5 sacks, 33.5 tackles for loss), with almost half coming in his 2025 All-American campaign. However, his 30.825-inch arms are well below NFL standards for the position, raising concerns about his ability to translate his production to the pros.
However, Bain’s power and pass rushing profile are undeniably appealing. He logged a 23.5% pass rush win rate and a 92.4 pass rushing grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) last year, displaying an array of moves and a relentless desire to get to opposing quarterbacks. That has kept him in the conversation for a top-10, or even top-five, pick in April.
The Titans hold the No. 4 selection and need a young, high-upside edge rusher opposite recent trade acquisition Jermaine Johnson. Bain is best as a ‘hand-in-the-dirt’ 4-3 defensive end than as a standing outside linebacker in a 3-4, which requires more athleticism and versatility. That makes him an excellent fit for Robert Saleh‘s system that rarely asks defensive linemen to drop into coverage and instead encourages them to pin their ears back and attack the backfield. Bain’s physical play style, attack-oriented mentality, and dedication to his game are all major pluses, especially for a new coaching staff looking to establish their own culture in Tennessee.
Saleh’s gonna hug him to get a sense of his arm length.