Miami players selected 15th overall in the NFL Draft have had mixed success. Edge rusher Rueben Bain was selected 15th overall by Tampa Bay on Thursday night. Bain follows quarterback Vinny Testaverde and defensive tackle Warren Sapp as first-round picks from Miami by Tampa Bay.
Bain follows quarterback George Mira Sr. to the San Francisco 49ers in 1964 in the NFL Draft, linebacker Dan Conners to the Oakland Raiders in the same year in the AFL Draft, wide receiver Yatil Green to the Dolphins in 1997 and defensive end Jerome McDougle by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2003 as 15th picks from Miami.
Sapp and Testaverde had mixed legacies in Tampa Bay. Sapp became a Pro Football Hall of Famer largely because of his career with Tampa Bay and won Super Bowl XXXVII with the Buccaneers. Sapp finished his NFL career playing for the Oakland Raiders from 2004 through 2007.
Testaverde played 21 seasons for eight teams during his NFL career. Tampa Bay selected Testaverde first overall in 1987 after he won the 1986 Heisman Trophy with Miami. Testaverde had a 24-48 record as a starter over six seasons with Tampa Bay.
Miami 15th pick histories
Conners and Mira Sr. were the 15th overall picks, but in the second round of the 1964 AFL and NFL Drafts. Conners played his entire 11-year career with Oakland. Mira Sr. spent five seasons with San Francisco, one with the Philadelphia Eagles and his final year with the Dolphins in 1971.
Green and McDougle are arguably two of the biggest Miami draft busts in NFL history. Green was hampered by injuries throughout his NFL career and had 18 receptions for 234 yards in eight games during the 1998 season, in the only year he played in the NFL.
McDougle was also hindered by injuries during his NFL career. In four seasons with Philadelphia, McDougle played in 37 games and he ended his NFL career playing in four games with the New York Giants in 2008. McDougle finished with 38 career tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and five passes defended.
Bain produced at a high level throughout high school and college. Playing for defensive-minded head coach Todd Bowles, Bain should continue to be a disruptive force as he moves on to the NFL. Tampa Bay was 20th in points allowed and 19th in total defense and sacks during the 2025 season.
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