Rueben Bain's short arms and tragic car accident history contributed to his NFL Draft slide

Merriman gives his perspective on the emerging stories about Rueben Bain Jr & how NFL media and agents can manipulate the stories surrounding players as the draft gets closer

Everybody knew about the tragic auto accident and the follow-up a year later, but when it came to Rueben Bain’s draft status, people said, "No worries." His arms are short, but he’s really good, so the refrain remained: "No worries."

Why then did Rueben Bain slide to the middle of the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday?

Whoever said neither issue would cause Bain to fall out of the Top 10 was obviously wrong.

He fell to the No. 15 overall selection held by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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Rueben Bain Jr of the Miami Hurricanes speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Feb. 25, 2026. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

And judging by Bain's demeanor during his post-draft interview on ESPN, he wasn't thrilled about it.

"I know I'm the best in the country, I'm sure," an unsmiling Bain told ESPN's Laura Rutledge after his selection. "That's how I think of myself.

"I'm telling you I can do anything I put my mind to because of my mindset. I know when I get to this next level I'm going to pop it. "

The Buccaneers selected Bain to be their outside rusher complement to Vita Vea on the interior.

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The Bucs thus get the ACC defensive player of the year and a consensus All-American.

Arvell Reese of Ohio State celebrates after being selected as the fifth overall pick by the New York Giants during the