New Vegas odds further illustrate the high expectations for Rueben Bain Jr. in the NFL

Reuben Bain Jr.'s slide in the NFL Draft was a shocking development, but it should turn out well for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who swooped him to grab the former Miami Hurricanes standout with the 15th overall pick and now have a potential elite pass rusher to create havoc in Todd Bowles' defense. 

The Bucs are high on Bain and his efforts during the team's rookie camp and offseason mini-camp only served to make the team even more excited about what the 2025 consensus All-American and ACC Defensive Player of the Year could bring as a rookie. And they aren't alone. The oddsmakers are also hearing the buzz on Bain and have made him the second-overall favorite to win the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. 

READ MORE: Rueben Bain Jr. is already making the Bucs look like geniuses for drafting him

Bain is sitting at +550 on FanDuel, one spot behind New York Jets pass rusher David Bailey, who is at +500. Another former Hurricane-turned-Buccaneer, defensive back Keionte Scott, is also on the board at +10000. Scott was a fourth-round pick by Tampa Bay, thought to be another draft steal as he was projected to be a second-round selection. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Rueben Bain Jr. is a Vegas favorite to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year 

The one knock on Bain came from the NFL Combine measurements when his arm length didn't meet the league's standards for what they want with edge rushers/defensive ends. But for the Bucs, it was Bain's production that really counted, and you don't have to look too deep on the film to see that Bain was a difference maker when the helmets got strapped on. 

READ MORE: NFL Draft analyst asks if Rueben Bain can become outlier per his measurements

"I love that he's very unique where he's got a great blend of power and athleticism," said Bucs GM Jason Licht. "He can bend, he's got get-off, he's very powerful, he's got very explosive not just athleticism, but powerful hands, powerful strength and he plays very edgy. He plays with a chip on his shoulder.

The other thing that Licht points out is the effort. You just can't understate how much Bain brings to the table on every snap. It was evident during the camps and will surely show itself again during training camp. Bain plays every down like he's trying to prove he belongs on the field. 

"His passion for the game. His passion to want to be the best. We like his edge that he brings out there and the guy practices the same way that he plays. Football is one of the most important things in his life," Licht added. 

Bain's arrival in Tampa couldn't have come at a better time. The Bucs need a big-time pass rusher and Bowles is on enough of a hot seat that a major boost in that area could lead to the additional wins he needs to secure in his future as an NFL coach. If that turns out to be the case, then many NFL teams will be scratching their heads wondering how they let Bain get away. 

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