Saints Select Controversial Pass Rusher In Latest Mock Draft

The 2026 NFL Draft is right around the corner, and New Orleans Saints fan everywhere are looking at every mock draft they can find to gain insights into which players may join the organization. While these exercises are far from perfect, scouring mock drafts across the league is a good way to get a general idea of which players will likely be on the board when a team is on the clock. The Saints appear to have their next franchise quarterback in second-round pick Tyler Shough, which means this could be the last time the organization has a top-10 pick for quite some time. They need to make this selection count, and Bleacher Report’s mock draft has them taking a high-risk, high-reward selection with the eighth-overall pick.

In a recent article, the popular website mocked every selection in the first round, and the site’s scouting department believes the Saints will take Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. with the ninth-overall pick.

“Edge may not be a major need in New Orleans,” the article reads, ” but the team could use some help at the position, particularly with Cameron Jordan still unsigned.” Furthermore, this pairing is a case where the Saints walk away with the best player available. Bain adds potential to reduce inside on passing situations, creating opportunities for him, Chase Young, and Carl Granderson to be on the field at the same time.”

Saints Select Rueben Bain Jr. In Latest Mock Draft

Chances are, Saints fans will be happy with this mock draft, as Rueben Bain has the potential to be one of the game’s elite pass rushers. Blessed with elite athleticism and above-average fundamentals, Bain has yet to meet a tackle he cannot defeat with either speed around the edge or pure strength. He was simply unstoppable at the collegiate level, racking up 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles-for-loss last year despite facing a difficult schedule. He’s no slouch against the run either, as he has the strength to anchor himself and clog rushing lanes. All in all, his tape is as good as anyone’s in this class.

However, his size is a major issue. The biggest topic of discussion around Bain is his arm length, as his sub-31″ arm length puts him in the bottom 1st percentile of edge defenders. Arm length is obviously important, as NFL-caliber defensive linemen must engage with the opposing tackle before the tackle engages with them. Bain will struggle to do this, which means opposing tackles could influence his pass-rushing routes.

While the arm length is the biggest issue, it’s not Bain’s only red flag. He’s smaller than the average pass rusher, as his 6′-2 1/4″ height, 9 1/8″ hand size, and 77 3/8″ wingspan are all well below the league average for his position. While his elite tape means these traits probably won’t be dealbreakers, it’s still something worth noting, and it’s the only reason the Saints could select him in this mock draft.

Saints Depth Chart

As mentioned above, the Saints have a solid group of pass rushers already, but it can’t hurt to add another high-profile player into the mix. Even if the team re-signs Cameron Jordan, he’s not a long-term fix along the defensive line. If New Orleans is comfortable with his historically short arms and relatively small build, he has the potential to be the team’s top pass rusher for the next 10-15 years.