Cowboys Insider Believes Dallas Won't Draft Rueben Bain Due to Concerns

Bain's arm length and a past car accident incident raise red flags for the Cowboys, according to a team insider.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:06pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic motion of a football player in the midst of a pass rushing maneuver, with sharp planes of navy, green, and orange conveying the raw power and athleticism of the sport.A cubist interpretation of a dominant pass rusher's explosive movements, reflecting the complex considerations NFL teams face when evaluating top draft prospects.Dallas Today

The Dallas Cowboys are considering several options with their two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including potentially trading up to select a top defensive prospect. However, one player they may avoid is Rueben Bain Jr. from the University of Miami, due to concerns over his arm length and a past car accident incident that raised questions from teams during the pre-draft process.

Why it matters

The Cowboys are in a critical offseason as they look to improve a defense that struggled at times in 2025. Bain is viewed as a talented pass rusher who could fill a need, but the team's decision-makers appear hesitant to take a chance on him due to the red flags surrounding his measurables and off-field incident.

The details

According to Cowboys insider Bryan Broaddus, teams were not satisfied with the answers Bain provided about a 2024 car accident that resulted in a charge of careless driving, which was later dropped. Additionally, Bain's short arm length is seen as a major concern, as the Cowboys and other NFL teams tend to put a high value on measurables when evaluating prospects. While Bain's talent is undeniable, the combination of the accident incident and his physical attributes may ultimately cause the Cowboys to pass on him, even if he is available at their first pick.

  • In 2024, Bain was involved in a fatal car accident and charged with careless driving, though the charge was later dropped.
  • The details of the car accident incident surfaced less than two weeks before the 2026 NFL Draft.

The players

Rueben Bain Jr.

A former defensive lineman at the University of Miami who is projected to be a high draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but faces concerns over his arm length and a past car accident incident.

Bryan Broaddus

A Cowboys insider who has reported that the team is hesitant to select Bain due to the red flags surrounding his measurables and off-field incident.

Arvell Reese

An Ohio State defensive prospect who is among the top players the Cowboys are considering with their first-round picks.

Caleb Downs

Another Ohio State defensive prospect who is generating interest from the Cowboys.

Sonny Styles

The third Ohio State defensive player being linked to the Cowboys in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Teams really weren't too happy with the way that he was, you know, when the question was posed that he was giving them answers to, you know, why and how and all those things. They were also worried about some potential backlash of maybe this thing reopening and a lawsuit once again being, you know, something that once he signed this contract.”

— Bryan Broaddus, Cowboys insider

“Dallas needs a pass rusher. Do I think they'll take him? I don't think that they would. Teams get so locked in on measurables and you know he's an outlier and nobody's ever had these kinds of arms or arm length and been drafted and you know that's That's kind of what teams do. They get locked in, and they don't want to change.”

— Bryan Broaddus, Cowboys insider

What’s next

The Cowboys will have to weigh the potential upside of Rueben Bain against the concerns over his arm length and past off-field incident as they finalize their draft plans. Their decision could have a significant impact on the direction of their defense in the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The Cowboys' hesitation to draft Rueben Bain highlights the importance NFL teams place on measurables and off-field character when evaluating prospects, even for talented players who could fill a position of need. This case underscores how a single incident or physical attribute can make or break a player's draft stock, especially for a team like the Cowboys that is under pressure to make the right picks in a critical offseason.