Have teams taken Rueben Bain Jr. off their draft boards after accident report?

Multiple mock drafts posted on Wednesday predicted that Miami edge-rusher Rueben Bain Jr. will be a top 10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft even though it was learned that he was involved in a fatal vehicular crash when he was a sophomore in March 2024.

For his latest mailbag, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated was asked if teams have removed Bain from their draft boards after the news about that accident went public.

Rueben Bain Jr. continues to receive positive news about draft stock

"I don’t think it’s a high number of teams," Breer explained. "I actually think more teams would take him out of consideration due to the arm-length question than because of the 2024 fatal car crash." 

Those arm-length concerns previously caused some to wonder if Bain could slide all the way into the teens of the draft order. As it pertains to the incident that resulted in the death of one of Bain's passengers, he was cited for careless driving regarding the crash. However, that charge was later dismissed.

"I do think most teams, though, have a comfort level with the facts, since they’ve all known about them for a while," Breer added about Bain. 

What is the floor for Rueben Bain Jr. during 2026 NFL Draft? 

For his latest mock draft updated on Wednesday, Todd McShay of The Ringer predicted that Bain will fall to the Baltimore Ravens at pick No. 14. 

"From what I’ve been told," McShay wrote, "Bain could still go as high as No. 9 to Kansas City, but his arm length is a real concern and may contribute to a draft-day slide (no edge with sub-31-inch arms has gone in the first round in at least two decades). It’s worth noting that teams have known about and investigated Bain’s involvement in a fatal 2024 car crash for months, so this projected slide is not a reflection of that news." 

Dane Brugler of The Athletic also believes that the Chiefs would make Bain the draft's ninth pick if he gets past the New Orleans Saints at choice No. 8.