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By Michael Gallagher
Sports Content Coordinator
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With teams on their month-long break from mid-June to mid-July in between minicamp and training camp, we’ve reached the deadest point of the NFL offseason.
But fortunately for football fans, there’s just three weeks left before training camp kicks off, followed by the preseason and regular season, which starts the week of Sept. 7.
Until then, we’ve done training camp previews and analyzed the top position battle to watch for all 32 teams. Next up in our offseason series is looking at one rookie from every team who could win a starting job in training camp this season, and today we’re looking at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Read More on NFL
Tampa Bay’s 2026 Draft Class
- Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Round 1
- Josiah Trotter, LB, Round 2
- Ted Hurst, WR, Round 3
- Keionte Scott, CB, Round 4
- DeMonte Capehart, DT, Round 5
- Billy Schraugh, OG, Round 5
- Bauer Sharp, TE, Round 6
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The Buccaneers really only got solid pass-rush production last year from two players — defensive end Yay Diaby (62 pressures, 43 hurries, 10 QB hits, seven sacks) and defensive tackle Vita Vea (51 pressures, 39 hurries, eight QB hits, 4.5 sacks).
So when Miami Hurricanes defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. was just sitting there with the 15th pick in April’s draft (Bain was projected to go as high as No. 3 overall), Tampa Bay just couldn’t pass him up.
Bain was one of the top edge-rushers in the NCAA last season, totaling 83 pressures, 68 hurries, 15.5 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks.
He was a force in the College Football Playoff too, helping stifle potent Texas A&M, Ohio State, and Ole Miss offenses. Bain can blow up blocking schemes and burst through double teams. He plays with a violent streak, his strength takes offensive lineman out of their comfort zone, and he uses his hands to shed blocks.
With Haason Reddick back with the New York Jets, Bain will form a strong 1-2 pass-rushing punch with Diaby next year. He could be a dark horse to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.
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