When a franchise sits at the top of the draft, the conversation often drifts toward upside, projection, and long-term development. For the Arizona Cardinals, who hold the third overall pick in April, the more compelling angle may be certainty.
As the organization prepares for schematic change, a new head coach, and a reset defensive identity, the value of knowing exactly what you're getting becomes amplified, and that's where Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. enters the discussion.
Bain isn't the flashiest player in this class, nor is he the most twitched up and explosive edge defender to come out in recent cycles. What he is, however, is the most powerful pass rusher in the draft and the most advanced run defender at a variety of alignments. At over 270 pounds, he brings immediate physicality to the front seven, something Arizona has lacked consistently over the past few seasons.
While there's much to be sorted out over the next few months as the pre-draft process runs it course, there remains legitimate internal questions among scouts regarding Bain’s positional identity. Is he a true edge defender long term, or does his body type and play strength make him a candidate to slide inside as a three technique aligned outside the guard? But that debate isn't a negative, in fact, for a defense likely undergoing philosophical change, that kind of versatility can be a feature rather than a concern.
What matters most for Arizona is that Bain offers early-down reliability. He can step onto the field immediately and set the edge against the run, holding his ground and forcing offenses to adjust protections and run fits. That alone accelerates a defensive rebuild. And on passing downs, where edge rushers make their money, Bain’s power, leverage, and relentless motor allow him to collapse pockets rather than simply race around them.
The production supports the projection.
Through three seasons at Miami, Bain has consistently ravaged opposing gameplans, amassing 153 pressures and 24 sacks. This season alone, he posted 11 sacks and 66 hurries after combining for 46 pressures across the previous two years. Those numbers reflect growth, refinement, and an expanding pass-rush plan rather than a one-year spike.
A former five-star recruit, Bain now heads into the national title game against likely top three pick in Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza and the Indiana Hoosiers, a stage that offers Bain the brightest possible spotlight, and a strong performance, win or not, would go a long way toward solidifying his case as a top-five selection.
For GM Monti Ossenfort, Arizona will be linked to several directions at No. 3 overall. Quarterback remains a conversation. Receiver is always tempting. Defenders like Caleb Downs or Arvell Reese from Ohio State remain options, or another edge presence such as Texas Tech’s David Bailey will also have advocates. Yet Bain represents something distinct in this class: a blue-chip caliber defender in a draft that lacks elite top end talent.
For Ossenfort, the appeal is straightforward. Adding a player like Bain, a physically dominant, scheme-flexible defender with proven production, could stabilize the foundation of the defense and accelerate Arizona’s timeline far more than a riskier swing at upside, a common theme come springtime.