The NFL Combine is underway in Indianapolis this week, with linebackers, defensive linemen, and placekickers all taking the field for workouts on Thursday.
Among the bunch will be Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr., a consensus All-American this past year and one of the best pass-rushing prospects in his class. He’s widely believed to be the first edge rusher to come off the board in the first round of the draft in two months, but concerns over his measurements could cause his stock to plummet several spots.
Panthers GM Dan Morgan Unfazed by Rueben Bain Jr.’s Measurements
Bain measured with sub-31-inch arms, according to PFSN. That could raise a red flag for some general managers looking to bolster their pass rush; there isn’t a precedent for someone with arms that short being drafted in the top 100 picks.
However, Bain is clearly a different breed when you turn on his tape. Across 38 games for the Hurricanes, Bain finished his collegiate career with 20.5 sacks, 121 total tackles, 33.5 tackles for a loss and an interception.
His junior campaign saw him set personal bests in each category, majorly improving his draft stock.
You can consider Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan as one of the handful of decision-makers across the league who won’t be turned away from Bain, arm length be damned.
“He’s got a powerful lower body, he can bend, and he’s got some power,” he said in an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday. “He’s not going to be there when we pick at 19.”
“Rueben Bain is so powerful and he’s got a motor..
He’s not gonna be there when we pick at 19″
Dan Morgan #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/WiTl8JYJWu
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 26, 2026
After trading Brian Burns to the New York Giants in the spring of 2024, which marked one of Morgan’s first moves as general manager, the Panthers are still looking for a true game-wrecker in their pass rush. Bain could be an answer, but Morgan appears resigned to the fact that he’ll have to trade up in order to acquire him.
“There are always outliers in every draft,” Morgan said. “You just gotta decide if, ‘Hey, that outlier, is he gonna defeat that outlier stigma?'”
In addition to the short arms, Bain’s measurements raised another red flag to many scouts. Bain came in “Shorter and lighter than listed at Miami,” said ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller.
Bain is the No. 4 player on PFSN’s NFL Draft big board, trailing only Caleb Downs, Arvell Reese, and Sonny Styles. His production at the collegiate level is undeniable, and his versatility to play inside or outside on the defensive line makes him a tantalizing prospect, but history suggests this measurement will not go away in discussions around Bain’s draft stock.
