We are still a few weeks away from the NFL Draft cycle kicking into high gear at the Scouting Combine, but the Kansas City Chiefs will be more interested in the top of the draft class than ever with the ninth-overall selection.

Pick 9 — Kansas City Chiefs
Rueben Bain Jr. — Miami — Edge — Junior

An almost-perfect fit — style- and needs-wise — Bain would add another much-needed disruptor up front in Kansas City. The Chiefs just couldn’t rush the passer effectively by season’s end, and Bain can help that cause.

Pick 9 — Kansas City Chiefs
Rueben Bain Jr. — Miami — Edge — Junior

There are other needs, but Bain simply fits the mold of what Brett Veach and Andy Reid look for in a rugged QB hunter and two-way player off the edge.

As the college season came to a close, it felt like Bain may not be a realistic option for the Chiefs to consider with the ninth pick, given his dominance in the College Football Playoff. Over four rounds of postseason action, Bain accumulated five sacks and three additional tackles for loss. Almost half of his sack total for the 2025 season came in the playoffs.

Both Edholm and Zierlein make the point that Bain fits into the Chiefs’ defense, despite a listed height of 6 feet 3 inches and a projected arm length that doesn’t fit the typical edge defender desired by defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

Those measureables should not be important when considering the on-field evaluation of Bain. He is a powerful player who is constantly winning the leverage battle against offensive linemen, whether it’s in run defense or as a pass rusher.

He pairs strong, block-shedding hands with athleticism that allows him to win around the outside and bend into the back of the pocket at times. He is not a one-dimensional rusher; he can beat an offensive lineman in multiple ways.

The attention on Bain may have led to more production for Mesidor, and that theme could flip if Bain is picked in Kansas City. Defensive tackle Chris Jones is still a dominant pass rusher, and having two disruptive defensive linemen can lead to easier opportunities for the entire unit.