Rueben Bain Jr. is the type of defender who jumps off the tape as a thick, twitchy, high-motor EDGE who plays like every snap is life or death, and NFL scouts widely view him as the top edge rusher in the 2026 NFL Draft with legitimate top-five and even No. 1 overall upside. A former ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, Bain wins with powerful hands, a low center of gravity, and an advanced pass-rush plan built on leverage, inside counters, and speed-to-power, while also showing the versatility to align as a 4-3 end, reduced 5-tech, or kick inside on passing downs. The production backs up the traits with elite pressure creation and steady backfield disruption, and his 2025 tape reinforces why the “short arms” conversation is largely overstated—blockers struggle to latch onto his frame because he consistently wins with hand usage, bend, and violent finish. If healthy, Bain projects as an early-impact pass rusher with every-down potential and one of the most polished, scheme-diverse EDGE profiles in this class.