The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have secured their top draft selection under contract. According to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, edge rusher Rueben Bain has officially signed his rookie deal with the team.
The four-year contract is valued at over $23.76 million, including a signing bonus of just over $13.74 million. As with all first-round picks, the Buccaneers retain the option for a fifth season.
Bain was widely projected to be selected before the Bucs’ pick at No. 15, but he slid to that spot—a development the team views as fortunate. The Buccaneers previously benefited from a similar slide in 1995 when they drafted defensive tackle Warren Sapp. Bain may have been inspired by that history, as he wore Sapp’s jersey during his arrival at Tampa’s rookie minicamp on Thursday.
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