The New Orleans Saints, picking No. 8 in the upcoming NFL Draft, have their sights set on enhancing their pass rush with Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. as the +350 favorite to be selected. Bain, a dominant force in college football, is recognized for his disruptive play but faces concerns about his arm length, which limits his fitting with certain teams. While the possibility of addressing other needs like receiver or cornerback exists, Bain stands out as the most likely choice to bolster the Saints' defense.

By the Numbers
  • Bain recorded 8 tackles and 1 sack in the title game against Indiana.
  • He was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and a top-ranked prospect, sitting at No. 2 on the CBS Sports Big Board.
State of Play
  • The Saints need a pass-rusher following Cameron Jordan's free agency status.
  • Bain's Over/Under draft position is set at 8.5, heavily favoring the Over at -320.
  • Speculation exists on wide receiver as a potential need, with prospects like Carnell Tate trending for the No. 8 pick.
What's Next

With the draft approaching, teams will finalize their strategies, but Bain's physical attributes may dictate if he remains the top pick for the Saints. If Tate is not available, Bain is likely to be the defensive anchor New Orleans seeks to reinvigorate their lineup.

Bottom Line

The Saints are set on improving their defense, and Rueben Bain could be the pivotal choice at No. 8. The focus will be on how much teams weigh Bain's shorter arm length against his proven college success, impacting New Orleans' draft strategy significantly.