Who could lead the Bucs in sacks in 2026? It may not be Rueben Bain
· Yahoo Sports
When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Rueben Bain Jr. with the 15th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, many immediately projected him to become the team's sack leader. But despite all the excitement surrounding the former Miami standout, don't be surprised if Bain doesn't finish atop the Buccaneers' sack leaderboard in 2026.
Opposing offensive coordinators have spent the past several years watching him wreck game plans at Miami, and that attention isn't going to disappear simply because he's a rookie and offenses will certainly make slowing Bain their top priority. Double teams on obvious passing downs and offensive lines sliding protection in his direction will become the norm from day one.
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Teams know what kind of player Bain can be, and the last thing they'll want is for the rookie to get comfortable early in the season.
That attention could open things up for everyone else. For the first time in his career, Yaya Diaby enters a season with legitimate help around him. In previous years, Diaby was often the focal point of opposing protection schemes because Tampa Bay lacked a consistent running mate off the edge. Now, with Bain on the field, offenses may have to pick their poison. Diaby could be the biggest beneficiary. The Buccaneers also have far more depth than they've had in recent years.
Veteran Al-Quadin Muhammad is coming off a career season, Anthony Nelson remains one of the team's most dependable rotational defenders, and David Walker is finally healthy after missing his entire rookie season with a torn ACL.
Todd Bowles also has a history of spreading sacks throughout his defense. Whether it's blitzing linebackers, bringing defensive backs, or generating pressure through scheme, Bowles has never relied on one player to generate the entire pass rush. So while Bain may not lead Tampa Bay in sacks as a rookie, his presence alone could transform the entire defense.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Who could lead the Bucs in sacks in 2026? It may not be Rueben Bain