More dots appear to be connecting Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. to Titans ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

Miami Hurricanes defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. may want to purchase a two-tone blue suit before the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. 

On Wednesday, Bain spoke with the media at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. There, the pass-rusher shared that he crushed his meeting with the Tennessee Titans.

What did Rueben Bain Jr. say about meeting with Titans?

"I felt like it was my energy," Bain said, per Jim Wyatt of the team website. "My energy and my football IQ, I came in knowing what to talk about and what to say, knowing football like the back of my hand, knowing football like my last name. I vibed and connected really well because we all talked ball."

Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi also noted Bain impressed him in their interview. 

"He did really well, yeah," Borgonzi said while also mentioning Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey and Ohio State Buckeyes LB Arvell Reese. "All those guys are smart football players, too. ...All three of those guys impressed." 

Reese (6-foot-4, 241 pounds) could be off the board when the Titans pick at No. 4. As of Thursday, NFL Mock Draft Database projects that the New York Jets will grab him with pick No. 2. That could leave Tennessee picking between Bain (6-foot-2, 263 pounds) and Bailey (6-foot-4, 251 pounds). Their latest move indicates they prefer the Miami star. 

Latest trade could signal Titans will target Rueben Bain Jr. in the NFL Draft

On Thursday, the Titans dealt defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat to the Jets for linebacker Jermaine Johnson, a potential win-win for both clubs. Moving the DT could clear more room for Bain.

Bain was primarily an edge-rusher in his final season with the Hurricanes, but he plays like a traditional defensive lineman. Per Sports Info Solutions, 76 percent of his 868 snaps in 2025 were in a three-point stance. (A three-point stance is when a lineman has two feet and one hand on the ground to remain stable and generate momentum.) 

"Bain is built to be a modern NFL defensive lineman, as he can line up anywhere," SIS scout Ben Hrkach wrote of the Miami star. 

New Titans head coach Robert Saleh loves defensive linemen with pass-rushing value. When he served as San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator last season, he said they're more rare than traditional edge-rushers, who normally line up in front of or outside of the offensive tackles.

Perhaps Saleh envisions Bain playing that role in Tennessee. The coach praised the 21-year-old on Tuesday. 

"With a young man like Bain, I don't know if his testing has come in yet, but his tape is undeniable," Saleh said.

Bain played with Titans quarterback Cam Ward for one season at Miami. He would likely welcome a reunion. The passer needs all the help he can get after Tennessee ranked 28th in points allowed (28.1 points per game) and 30th in points scored (16.7 PPG) during his rookie season. 

That may be happening soon. More dots are connecting Bain to the Titans in the weeks leading up to the draft.