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Buccaneers Draft Miami Edge Rusher Bain At No.15

PUBLISHED Apr 23, 2026, 6:48 AM ET

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TAMPA, Fla. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Miami edge rusher Reuben Bain Jr. with the 15th overall pick on Thursday night, aiming to address the team’s inconsistent pass rush. The pick follows Bain’s role in Miami’s run to the College Football Playoff national championship in January and comes amid local draft-week fan events. The selection immediately refocuses Tampa Bay’s defensive plans after an 8-9 season; GM Jason Licht said the team vetted Bain and views him as a fit. Reports note Bain was linked to a March 2024 traffic collision that resulted in a passenger’s death and a later-dropped careless-driving citation. Fans can attend Block Party and Beach Bash events April 23–26 during draft coverage.

By Daniel Hayes | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

January 2024: Bain helps Miami reach the College Football Playoff national championship.
March 2024: A traffic collision linked to Bain results in a passenger death; a careless-driving citation is issued and later dropped.
April 23–26, 2024: Tampa Bay hosts Draft Block Party and Bucs Beach Bash for fans.
Thursday night (Draft): Buccaneers select Reuben Bain Jr. with the 15th overall pick.
Post-draft: Team highlights pass-rush intent and lists inside linebacker, tight end, and cornerback as remaining draft priorities.

News Intelligence

The Bucs' new draft pick could shake up the game. If you're a fan, this means a fresh strategy to watch unfold. If you're in Tampa during draft week, you can join the local Block Party and Beach Bash. Check the Bucs' website for event details.

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Who Benefited

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers gain a projected pass-rush reinforcement in Reuben Bain Jr., while local fans benefit from organized draft-night events and entertainment opportunities around St. Petersburg and the Gulf beaches.

Who Impacted

The family of the crash victim and the community affected by the 2024 traffic collision suffered loss; the pick also subjects the team and player to ongoing reputational scrutiny as reports are reviewed.

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