If Buccaneers’ first-round pick Rueben Bain produces the way many people expect him to, he will become the most productive rookie pass rusher Todd Bowles has ever had as a head coach.
That may sound surprising, but the numbers tell the story.
During Bowles’ time as head coach of both the Jets and Buccaneers, the most productive rookie pass rusher he’s had was YaYa Diaby, who recorded 7.5 sacks as a third-round pick in 2023.
Here is Bowles’ history with rookie pass rushers:
- Lorenzo Mauldin — Jets: 2015 — 3rd round — 4 sacks
- Jordan Jenkins — Jets: 2016 — 3rd round — 2.5 sacks
- Dylan Donahue — Jets: 2017 — 5th round — 0 sacks
- Logan Hall — Buccaneers: 2022 — 2nd round — 2.5 sacks
- Calijah Kancey — Buccaneers: 2023 — 1st round — 4 sacks
- Yaya Diaby — Buccaneers: 2023 — 3rd round — 7.5 sacks
- Chris Braswell — Buccaneers: 2024 — 2nd round — 1.5 sacks
- David Walker — Buccaneers: 2025 — 4th round — Injured and missed the season
- Elijah Roberts — Buccaneers: 2025 — 5th round — 2 sacks
That isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement of Bowles’ ability to get immediate production from young pass rushers.
And that’s what makes Bain so interesting.
The Buccaneers didn’t draft him 15th overall expecting him to be a developmental player. They drafted him because they need him to help fix what has been one of the biggest problems on this defense — getting pressure on the quarterback.
There is plenty of optimism surrounding Bain. He’s talented, he’s athletic, and many believe he has the ability to make an immediate impact.
But optimism and production are two different things.
With so much pressure on Bain to contribute right away, the question isn’t simply whether he can become a good NFL pass rusher.
It’s how quickly he can do it.
If Bain reaches the expectations many have for him, he won’t just have a good rookie season. He’ll rewrite Todd Bowles’ history with rookie pass rushers.
We’re about to find out just how good he can be.
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