The New Orleans Saints are off to a rocky 1-7 start to the year. They likely won’t make it past week 18 barring a stunning run late in the season with Tyler Shough. This has led some fans to start looking ahead toward April. As of now, two prospects stand alone in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft: Rueben Bain Jr. and Arvell Reese. Saints fans should start familiarizing themselves with the two players.
Rueben Bain Jr. has been the cornerstone of a strong Miami defense. His stats are underwhelming with only two sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, and an interception. However, his 39 pressures show how consistently he’s in the backfield. The explosive rusher would instantly upgrade the Saints pass rush.
Arvell Reese’s rise to national media has been unprecedented. The Ohio State linebacker was virtually unheard of heading into the year. The junior has exploded onto the scene with 42 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and two pass deflections. The do it all defender has been a pivotal piece in Ohio State’s stifling defense.
Rueben Bain Jr. will elevate the Saints pass defense
I’ll keep it simple. Draft Bain and he will instantly reinvigorate the pass rush. He’s in the backfield every play for Miami. The 6’3” 270 Lbs. edge rusher contains a rare mix of elite speed and power.
Bain’s go to move is speed around the edge. He’s extremely flexible which allows him to bend and dip around the offensive tackle. It’s rare to find a lineman who’s able to keep up with his agility. In addition he has won purely by power, pushing the tackle back into the quarterback.
Don’t worry about him lacking as a run defender. Bain has impressive lower body strength which allows him to anchor down and be tough to move. He is strong enough to displace a lineman, giving him a free lane to the carrier. Bain would be one of, if not the best, run defender on the Saints.
Pairing this with his developed rush plan, elite hand usage, and villain mentality creates a dangerous pass rusher. Bain’s got everything he needs to be a future all-pro in the NFL.
Arvell Reese will be the successor to Demario Davis
What can Reese do for a defense? Let’s do a quick checklist and see:
- Defend the run- Check
- Cover running backs or tight ends in man- Check
- Play zone coverage- Check
- Rush the passer- Check
- Spy the quarterback- Check
Reese isn’t just average in everything listed above, he excels in every aspect. He can do whatever the Saints need him to. I’ll challenge anyone to find something that Reese can’t do. His versatility makes him an attractive prospect for any defensive coordinator.
Reese is a great athlete. He’s quick, has great lateral speed, is explosive, and frighteningly powerful. He will be covering a running back on one play then bulldozing an offensive lineman into the quarterback the next (just watch the Illinois game for proof).
Demario Davis is 36 years old. He’s still playing at a high level, but the Saints need to think about a replacement. As of now, I don’t believe that’s on the roster. Selecting Reese would fix that problem and give the Saints a dynamic playmaker and leader for years to come.