Rueben Bain Jr.'s measurements on his arm length will be a hot topic for the top of the NFL Draft

Rueben Bain Jr. was a menace on the field for the Miami Hurricanes. It’s not hard to find clips of him lining up at defensive end and obliterating offensive tackles in his way.

It didn’t seem like his arm length was much of a problem as he put together an All-America season.

But this is pre-NFL Draft season, and everything gets nitpicked.

Bain got official measurements at the NFL scouting combine, and the concern about his arm length got more fuel. His arms were measured at 30 7/8 inches, according to multiple media reports. That is unusually short for an edge rusher in the NFL and practically unheard of for a first-round draft pick. To put it in perspective, only two edge rushers since 1999 have measured with shorter arms at the combine than Bain, according to Mockdraftable’s data (h/t to Josh Norris at Underdog).

The New York Jets will go on the clock with the second pick of the draft after Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza presumably goes first overall. They’ll be making a tough decision between players like Bain and Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese, and everything matters. Even arm size.

Bain was asked about the discussion of his arm length Wednesday and he said he paid it no mind. He said teams haven’t brought it up either.

“People keep bringing that up out of nowhere,” Bain said. “Teams didn’t bring it up to me, so I don’t bring it up either.

Teams might not bring it up to Bain, but it will be discussed in draft rooms. Teams have certain benchmarks for measurements for prospects at all positions. Arm length is important for edge rushers because they can extend against offensive tackles and not let themselves get locked up by blockers on their way to the quarterback.

It hasn’t affected Bain. He plays a physical game and became one of the best edge rushers in college football with that style. Everything gets tougher in the NFL, and teams (starting with the Jets at No. 2) will have to determine how much of a disadvantage that could be for Bain in the pros.

Bain wasn’t the only edge defender whose arms were shorter than NFL teams like. Cashius Howell of Texas A&M, a potential first-round pick, measured with 30 1/4 inch arms, via Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network.

Ultimately, a player’s performance on the field matters most for draft stock. But when making major decisions at the top of the draft, every data point is evaluated. Get ready for two months of discussion of Bain’s arm length.