ESPN NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. has this concern about Rueben Bain Jr.

Defensive lineman Rueben Bain is one of 10 Miami players participating at the NFL Combine this week, being held in Indianapolis. ESPN NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. is concerned with how scouts will react to the workout and testing numbers Bain will have at the NFL Combine.

Bain played beyond his four-star recruiting ranking in his three seasons with Miami. Bain finished his Miami career with 121 tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, 20.5 sacks, 4.0 forced fumbles, 2.0 pass breakups, one interception and 3.0 passes defended.

If not for missing four games during his sophomore season with an injury, Bain likely would have finished in the top 10 for sacks in Miami program history. Bill Hawkins (1985-88), Rusty Meadaris (1990-94) and Bob Nelson(1978-81) finished their Miami careers with 22.0 sacks.

Bain was dominant in the College Football Playoffs with 17 tackles, 8.0 TFLs and 5.0 sacks. All of those numbers except for one tackle were against Texas A&M, Ohio State and Indiana in the CFP. Mississippi held Bain to the one tackle.

"There is no arguing Bain's production (including 9.5 sacks and 71 pressures last season), technique and overall upside. His game is built on sheer power, nonstop hustle and a deep arsenal of pass-rush moves to beat offensive tackles. But his arm length at 6-foot-3, 275 pounds is a question for scouts, and his 40-yard dash time will be key in seeing his true speed. Bain needs a good workout and some solid testing numbers to prove he can be just as dominant in the NFL as he was in college. I have him ranked ninth overall right now, but he could end up going top-five if he puts a stamp on his evaluation in Indianapolis."

Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN

ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller on Bain

Kiper's ESPN colleague Matt Miller named Bain as the answer to "Which prospects' measurements will scouts really be focused on? Miller also mentioned the concerns about Bain's arm length and that we will have a firm answer to how long they are this week at the NFL Combine.

Miller asked "does it matter?" how long Bain's arms are and said, " Some teams will knock a player with sub-32-inch arms along the defensive line -- even if that player had 71 pressures and 9.5 sacks like Bain did last season. His weight will also be of interest."

Miller also reiterated that Bain's weight will be of interest to NFL scouts and executives. Miller projected that some NFL teams could move Bain to defensive tackle if he weighs in at 285 pounds at the NFL combine. Bain could also cut weight to fit in more as an edge rusher in the NFL, per Miller.

Bain played 263 run defensive snaps and 440 pass defensive snaps during the 2025 season, per Pro Football Focus. Miami often moved Bain inside on pass rush snaps earlier in his collegiate career. Where Bain plays in his professional career will depend on who drafts him.

Kiper Jr. projects Bain to the Cincinnati Bengals 10th overall in his most recent 2026 NFL Mock Draft updated on Tuesday (February 24). Kiper Jr. said, "If Bain is still on the board at No. 10, the Bengals should sprint the card in with his name on it."

Bain would play for former Miami head coach Al Golden, now the defensive coordinator with Cincinnati. Cincinnati finished with six wins and 11 losses during the 2025 season. The Bengals were 30th in points allowed, 31st in total defense and 23rd with 35 sacks.

Myles Murphy led Cincinnati with 5.5 sacks in 2025. Cincinnati drafted Miami Gardens, Monsignor Edward Pace High School and Texas A&M alum Shermar Stewart in the 2025 NFL Draft first round. Stewart had 11.0 tackles, 2.0 TFLs and 1.0 sack as a rookie in 2025.