Les Snead has Rams fans' forgiveness for passing on Rueben Bain Jr. in draft

At one time, the possibility of Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. slipping to No. 13 in the draft seemed like a stretch. It was an outcome Los Angeles Rams fans might wish for like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, hardly something to bank on. Then it happened, and general manager Les Snead passed up the opportunity. 

Once a top-eight projected pick, Bain was among the most coveted edge rushers in the draft. Here was a win-now answer to the Rams' looming uncertainty with Byron Young and Jared Verse both in need of extensions. Not only did the Rams pass on Bain, they did the same with receiver Makai Lemon. Instead, Snead took quarterback Ty Simpson.

Outraged LA faithful, of which yours truly was initially one, can forgive him his trespass. Myles Garrett is a Ram. Verse is gone, but Snead replaced him with perhaps the most dominant player in the game, at any position. Our bad, Les. We should never have doubted you. 

Snead made up for draft decision and then some

For proof of Garrett's dominance, look no further than his single-season record 23 sacks last season, achieved on a Cleveland Browns defense with little to distract opposing offensive lines from the human wrecking ball wearing No. 95. 

Not only will he boost the Rams' defense directly, Young, his counterpart off the edge, is sure to benefit from Garrett's presence. The former third-rounder had a productive season himself, leading the Horns with 12 sacks. Good luck double-teaming Garrett.

Fans had good reason to covet Bain in the draft. His 92.5 Pro Football Focus grade for the Hurricanes last season ranked third in the FBS among edge rushers. The All-American generated 9.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss, and an interception. 

In the draft, Bain ultimately went 15th overall to Tampa Bay. Along with former Texas Tech DE David Bailey, who went 2nd overall to the Jets, he is co-favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. Yep, the Buccaneers got a gem. 

The Rams could have used him, or so it seemed at the time. The pass rush was well-stocked enough with Young and Verse on the outside and Kobie Turner plus Braden Fiske inside. But Verse, as impactful as he was, had yet to take the step the Rams hoped.

Yes, he was named Defensive Rookie of the Year and is two-for-two in Pro Bowl selections. He had a whopping 80 pressures last year, per PFF, good for fourth among all edge rushers. 

But 12 sacks through his first two seasons left a bit more to be desired in the Rams' young pass rush. Fiske took a step back after a standout rookie year. Verse, Young, and the pass rush as a whole grew visibly fatigued as the season wore on. 

On top of that, Young is a pending free agent. Both he and Verse should command lucrative extensions. Bain would be another immediate contributor to ease the workload. His cheap rookie contract would obviate the need to pay both Young and Verse. For all the fixation on Lemon, Bain was arguably just as compelling a Rams prospect, if not more so.

Well, F--- them picks. Snead had a better idea. Adding Garrett gives the Rams the game-wrecker the pass rush craved. He is under contract through 2030, giving the defense long-term stability at the position. Even at 30, Garrett has shown no signs of slowing down. If last year is any indication, he is at his peak. 

It was impossible to know at the time of the draft, but Snead had bigger, better plans than anyone could have dreamed. To his credit, he followed through. 

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow