Titans Could Shock Draft Boards With Second-Overall Pick, NFL Evaluators Say

The Tennessee Titans are attempting to rebuild their defense under new head coach Robert Saleh, a longtime defensive coordinator, and are widely expected to lean into one of the elite pass rushers available in this draft with the second-overall pick.

Which player they select there is up for debate this far before the draft, but the early wagering markets might not be indicative of just how difficult of a choice this will be. And, according to some evaluators who have studied this draft and paid particular attention to the defensive line they believe the Titans could surprise many with their selection.

Are the Markets Selling One Prospect Short?

Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr had a very strong combine, but continues to be largely overlook as a true candidate for the second pick. However, his ability to generate power and punish offensive lineman when rushing from inside, rather than exist solely as an outside pass rusher, keeps coming up in conversations with NFL people and while the media has made a big deal out of Bain’s lack of ideal arm length. 

It was something that commentators brought up repeatedly during scouting combine coverage, but it doesn’t tell the real story of Bain’s body type, according to top personnel evaluators with a proven track record.

“Go check his wingspan differential,” one longtime evaluator said, noting a metric that combines the length of a player’s arms with their overall heigh. 

“His arms are not going to be a problem. This kid did nothing but produce. I think he’s definitely in play at 2.”

Another evaluator said: “I have to believe Saleh is considering him with that pick.“

Bain is seen as a reach for the pick in the wagering markets, but they are hardly a sure thing, especially this far removed from the draft. Bain is super mature, he is younger than some of the other top defensive prospects and we’ve long had the sense that NFL teams like him more than those who specialize in mock drafts. You can find Bain at 17-1 to be the second-overall pick. A juicy potential return, indeed.