Chiefs Land 'Dominant' Pass-Rusher in Mel Kiper's Latest Mock Draft

ESPN draft expert projects Kansas City to select Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. with the 9th overall pick.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 2:52pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In his latest 2026 NFL mock draft, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has the Kansas City Chiefs selecting Miami Hurricanes star edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. with the 9th overall pick. Kiper believes Bain, despite having shorter-than-ideal arm length, is a dominant pass rusher who could help address the Chiefs' need for more production off the edge after losing several key defensive players in free agency.

Why it matters

The Chiefs had one of the least productive pass rushes in the NFL last season, tying for the 7th-fewest sacks. Adding an athletic and explosive edge player like Bain could be crucial for Kansas City to field a formidable pass rush in 2026 and compete in the AFC West.

The details

The Chiefs lost several key defensive players in free agency, including defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi, edge rushers Charles Omenihu and Malik Herring, linebacker Leo Chenal, cornerbacks Jaylen Watson and Joshua Wiliams, and safety Bryan Cook. They also traded away star cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams. While the Chiefs did sign some replacement players, there are still glaring holes at linebacker, edge rusher, and cornerback that need to be addressed.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in the spring of 2026.

The players

Rueben Bain Jr.

A star edge rusher from the University of Miami who is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Mel Kiper Jr.

A longtime ESPN NFL draft analyst and expert who releases regular mock drafts projecting how the first round of the NFL Draft will unfold.

Chris Jones

A defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs who is one of the team's top returning pass rushers.

George Karlaftis

A defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs who is another one of the team's top returning pass rushers.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Bain would be very tough to pass up at this spot. Despite 30⅞-inch arms that caused quite the stir at the combine, Bain is dominant off the edge. He simply finds ways to get to the QB, whether it's with his speed, power or savviness. He had 71 pressures last season en route to 9.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss.”

— Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN Draft Analyst (Newsweek)

What’s next

The Chiefs will have the opportunity to address their pass rush needs when they make the 9th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The takeaway

The Chiefs' defense struggled to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks last season, and adding an elite pass rusher like Rueben Bain Jr. could be a game-changer for their defense in 2026 as they look to compete in the AFC West.