Rueben Bain Jr. might be the pass rusher Chiefs fans have begged for

It’s been clear that the Kansas City Chiefs have needed pass rush help since about October 2025. The Chiefs will have plenty of opportunities early in the draft to improve the defensive line thanks to the depth of the 2026 class. Overall, not only is there depth, but there is also a variety of body types and players who fit different roles.

Historically, the Chiefs and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo have favored long, heavy-handed defensive ends who play with their hand in the dirt. They want an edge defender who can play the run on early downs to earn the right to rush the passer and possibly move inside to rush as well. While this approach has worked for a while, it might be time to reevaluate their prototype.

The Chiefs’ pass rush has felt like Chris Jones and a complementary cast for years. Now, that cast of pass rushers seems to be the weakest it has been in years. The defensive line needs another alpha beside Chris Jones, and Rueben Bain could be that force.

To keep track of the top players in the 2026 Draft for the Kansas City Chiefs, be sure to bookmark the Arrowhead Addict Big Board—a draft board specifically designed for the Chiefs’ needs.

NFL Draft Profile: Rueben Bain Jr, Edge, Miami

Age: 21 (September 8th, 2004)

Height: 6-3 (listed)

Weight: 275 LBS. (listed)

Tape Exposure: Georgia Tech (2024), Louisville (2025), Notre Dame (2025)

Shades of: Pernell McPhee

Rueben Bain Background

Recruited locally, Rueben Bain was a four-star recruit in the 2023 class per 247Sports. A four-time state champion and the 2022 Nat Moore Trophy winner (South Florida’s top high school player), Bain finished his high school career with 77.5 sacks and committed to Miami out of high school. Bain burst onto the scene during his freshman year with 7.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. In 2024, those numbers took a step back due to a calf injury that sidelined him for four games before he bounced back in 2025. Bain finished his college career at Miami with 15.5 sacks and 25.5 tackles for loss.

Why Rueben Bain fits the Chiefs

Power

Bain’s primary tool as both a pass rusher and run defender is his strong lower half. He generates significant force against tackles when rushing up the arc. He has the strength to shed and rip blockers—even guards—in the run and screen game. His large frame and natural strength allow him to maintain lane integrity, even against double teams.

Pass Rush Moves

Despite being a power-first rusher, Bain displays a pass-rush toolbox that helps him win. He uses a variety of dips, rips, and hand-swipe techniques that are not commonly seen from college edge players. He also shows impressive bend for a player of his size, which makes him a weapon in the stunt and looping game.

Run Defense-

Bain is an NFL-caliber edge setter coming out of the draft, with the ability to keep his eyes in the backfield and be decisive when needed. He has the strength to rip away blockers and collapse run lanes effectively. It is very evident on tape that offenses scheme away from him in the run game for that reason.

Concerns about Rueben Bain fit for the Chiefs

Tweener body type

It feels like Bain may need to adjust his body type to match the role he wants at the next level. At 6-3, he does not have the length to consistently separate from long-armed tackles, but at 275 lbs., he cannot simply out-athlete them either. His power profile is strong enough that he can bull rush his way to seven sacks at the college level, but that may not translate as cleanly to the next level. This is a similar situation to Shemar Stewart and Nic Scourton last year, who played heavier at Texas A&M than they did at the next level. There is real concern over Bain’s arm length, which is reported to be under 31 inches—potentially in the first percentile among edge rushers.

Pass Rush Juice

While he does have natural strength and some pass-rush moves, a rep often feels like it is won in the first three seconds or not at all. It is hard to find examples of him slowly winning over the course of a play. It almost feels like he knows immediately whether he is going to win or if the snap is a loss. It is not uncommon to see long stretches of games where he is not impacting the game in a meaningful way due to a lack of pass-rush impact. His first step feels average right now and is not overwhelming.

Discipline

While Bain has made a strong name for himself as a run defender, there are still examples on tape of him abandoning rush lanes to try to win as a pass rusher. There are also instances of him falling for eye candy in play-action or misdirection looks. This feels particularly impactful because of his role as an edge setter on early downs.

Bain is a high-floor prospect who brings many traits that make him a safe pick in the NFL Draft. His frame, his ability to move across the line as both a 4- and 5-technique, and his pass-rush moves make him an intriguing prospect as both a pass rusher and a high-level run defender. There are concerns about whether he ever develops that next gear as a pass rusher, though. His upside could resemble a Jared Verse-type player who uses power effectively while still having multiple ways to win. However, the downside is closer to a Dayo Odeyingbo-type outcome, where he is primarily a run defender and coverage sack player.

Some view Bain as a potential top-10 pick, but that feels a bit rich based on what he put on tape as the 2025 season went on. The high-floor nature of his game and his tools make him a solid option in the middle to back end of the first round. His measurements—particularly length and weight—will be important to monitor. Does he show up at 260 lbs. to test better? What does his arm length look like for a player listed at 6-3?

Rueben Bain has the traits to be a rotational pass rusher and an impact run defender. With development, he could become a routine double-digit sack player who impacts the game early and often.

Player Grade: Blue Chip Prospect (Top 10 pick)