The Kansas City Chiefs find themselves in unfamiliar territory this January - not preparing for another Super Bowl run, but instead turning their attention to the NFL Draft. After three straight seasons of postseason dominance, the Chiefs are holding the ninth overall pick, and fans are already diving deep into mock draft season, wondering which prospect could help get them back to the big game.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah dropped his first mock draft of the year on Monday, and it’s already making waves in Chiefs Kingdom. With several top-tier offensive tackles and edge rushers off the board early - including Utah’s Spencer Fano and Miami’s Francis Mauigoa - the Chiefs had to look elsewhere for impact talent. And Jeremiah believes they’ll find it in Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr.
Pick No. 9: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
Jeremiah calls Bain his “favorite fit” for Kansas City - and it’s easy to see why. Bain brings the kind of relentless, gritty motor that head coach Andy Reid has long admired in his edge defenders.
Think Trent Cole. Think Brandon Graham.
Players who may not have always fit the prototype physically, but made up for it with heart, hustle, and production.
Bain was a game-wrecker during Miami’s run to the national title game earlier this month, racking up five sacks during the College Football Playoff. That kind of postseason performance doesn’t go unnoticed - especially by a team like the Chiefs, who struggled to generate consistent pressure off the edge this season.
Kansas City’s pass rush had its moments, but the lack of a true game-changing presence opposite George Karlaftis became more and more apparent as the season wore on. Bain’s ability to win with quickness, leverage, and sheer willpower could be exactly what this defense needs to take the next step.
Of course, Bain isn’t without his question marks. His arm length - or lack thereof - will be scrutinized heavily during the pre-draft process.
It’s the kind of measurement that can ding a player’s stock, even if the tape tells a different story. NFL evaluators will be watching closely at the Combine in Indianapolis to see if Bain checks enough boxes to justify a top-10 selection.
Notably, in Jeremiah’s projection, the Chiefs opted to pass on Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, who went off the board just two picks later. Downs is widely regarded as one of the top defensive backs in this class, but Kansas City may feel more urgency in addressing its pass rush than adding to its secondary.
Jeremiah’s mock also deviates from the consensus when it comes to this year’s wide receiver class. While many analysts see a deep group of pass-catchers, Jeremiah appears more reserved. He has USC’s Makai Lemon as the first receiver off the board at No. 13, with Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson following at picks 16 and 19, respectively.
For the Chiefs, the decision to go with Bain over a wideout or safety says a lot about where they believe the foundation of their team still lies: defense, and more specifically, disrupting the quarterback. With Patrick Mahomes under center, the offense will always have a high floor. But if the Chiefs want to get back to hoisting Lombardi Trophies, they’ll need to reload the defense - and Bain could be a big step in that direction.
Mock drafts are just the beginning of a long pre-draft process, but if Jeremiah’s projection holds any weight, Kansas City fans might want to get familiar with Rueben Bain Jr. His name could be called early come April - and if it’s by the Chiefs, he might just be the next piece in their championship puzzle.