‘He will have some issues’ — NFL remains cautious about potential Bengals draft target’s biggest weakness
Miami defensive Rueben Bain Jr. is a virtual lock to go in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The Cincinnati Bengals may be able to pick him if teams are still concerned about his arm length.
Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. is going to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The question for the Cincinnati Bengals is whether or not he will fall to them at No. 10 overall.
Bain checks plenty of boxes you look for in a top-10 pick. He did not, however, perform any athleticism testing, and his 30.975″ arms are really short for an EDGE player.
The latter is the biggest reason why the Bengals may be granted the opportunity of selecting him. That opportunity sounds very real the closer we get to the draft.
Rueben Bain’s arm length can still drop him to the Bengals
Bain’s arm length getting confirmed at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine has been the only real development with Bain since he declared for the draft.
It’s been a known issue for a while, and at least one personnel executive with a team picking in the top 10, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, believes Bain will be working against it as an NFL player.
It’s not nothing. It’s in between. The kid’s played his entire life that way and been pretty successful. But I think it will pose a challenge. He’s found a way to work around it, leaving blockers, using his [squatness] to his advantage. But you use your hands and arms on every play, trying to control the blocker who’s trying to control you, reaching and running 60 times a game. It’s an imperfect science, and you can’t say he can’t play football because he can. But he will have some issues.
personnel executive For team picking in the top 10
via ESPN's Jeremy Fowler
The degree of limitation seems to be the cause of concern. If teams were concerned over Bain’s ability to win at all with his arm length, he would not even be considered a potential top-10 pick.
Top-10 picks are supposed to be the least-risky players in the draft. If they have risk, it’s because they’re physically gifted like no others at their position. Size and athleticism can push a lack of production and other warts to the wayside.
Bain is a physical outlier on the negative end of the spectrum with his arm length. He looks like a great athlete, but there’s missing data there as well. Mixed opinions on him was also heard by A to Z Sports’ Ryan Roberts.
Bain isn’t going to fall incredibly far, obviously, but it wouldn’t shock me if he drops out of the top-10 selections. The arm length and wingspan concerns have been talked about constantly, so there is no need to rehash too much. There is just no proof historically of an EDGE with Bain’s dimensions becoming a notable performer. The league is a lot more mixed on Bain for several reasons compared to the media side. He is a divisive prospect.
Ryan Roberts
A to Z Sports College Football writer
Dominating the College Football Playoff and over the course of three years at a major program may not be enough to counter that when the first picks are made.
It’s wild to think a mere measurement can be so detrimental. In Bain’s case, it could be the difference of millions of dollars.
It could also lead him to the Bengals, who very much would love another EDGE to pair with Boye Mafe, Myles Murphy, and Shemar Stewart. Draft Bain yourself with the A to Z Sports NFL Mock Draft Simulator!
Cincinnati Bengals News
Three things I think I know about the Cincinnati Bengals’ plans with three weeks remaining until the 2026 NFL Draft
The Cincinnati Bengals’ plans are becoming more and more clear as the 2026 NFL Draft gets closer. Here’s what I think they’re focusing on with three weeks to go.
