Chiefs Select Controversial Pass Rusher In Latest Mock Draft

The first wave of free agency is over, which means fans of the Chiefs and the other 31 teams are now focusing on the 2026 NFL Draft. Prior to 2025, the Chiefs made a deep playoff run in every season since Patrick Mahomes took over as the starting quarterback, so it’s weird to see them with a top-10 pick. This team should bounce back in 2026, which means this could be the last time they have a selection this good in years. They need to make this selection count, and Bleacher Report‘s latest mock draft has them swinging for the fences with a high-risk, high-reward prospect.

In a recent article, the popular website mocked every selection in the first round, and the site’s scouting department believes the Chiefs will take Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. with the ninth-overall pick.

“Bain’s tape says he’s a top-five player in this year’s draft class,” the article states. “He was consistently disruptive as a run defender and pass-rusher. His 156 pressures since 2023 were the most in college football, according to Pro Football Focus. The 21-year-old can be a game-wrecker at the next level, especially as part of Kansas City’s excellent defensive scheme.”

Chiefs Select Rueben Bain Jr In Latest Mock Draft

Chances are, Chiefs fans will be happy with this mock draft, as Rueben Bain has the potential to be one of the game’s elite pass rushers. Blessed with elite athleticism and above-average fundamentals, Bain has yet to meet a tackle he cannot defeat with either speed around the edge or pure strength. We was simply unstoppable at the collegiate level, racking up 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles-for-loss last year despite facing a difficult schedule. He’s no slouch against the run either, as he has the strength to anchor himself and clog rushing lanes. All in all, his tape is as good as anyone’s in this class.

However, his size is a major issue. The biggest topic of discussion around Bain is his arm length, as his sub-31″ arm length puts him in the bottom 1st percentile of edge defenders. Arm length is obviously important, as NFL-caliber defensive linemen must engage with the opposing tackle before the tackle engages with them. Bain will struggle to do this, which means opposing tackles could influence his pass-rushing routes.

While the arm length is the biggest issue, it’s not Bain’s only red flag. He’s smaller than the average pass rusher, as his 6′-2 1/4″ height, 9 1/8″ hand size, and 77 3/8″ wingspan are all well below the league average for his position. While his elite tape means these traits probably won’t be dealbreakers, it’s still something worth noting, and it’s the only reason the Chiefs could select him in this mock draft.

Chiefs Depth Chart

Rueben Bain is a great player, and he fills a position of need. While George Karlaftis is still going strong, the rest of the depth chart leaves something to be desired. A contender like Kansas City needs at least two reliable pass rushers, and defensive tackle Chris Jones looked like he was starting to slow down last year. Bain could be exactly what this defense needs, especially since the pass rush will be more important than ever after the team lost both starting cornerbacks in the offseason.