Chiefs Can Draft Bain of Existence Next Month

Draft expert believes edge rusher Rueben Bain is better than top prospects despite short arms

Mar. 28, 2026 at 3:04pm

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Draft expert Jordan Reid believes that despite concerns over his short arms, edge rusher Rueben Bain is the best pass rusher in the upcoming NFL Draft and should be seriously considered by teams like the Jets with an early pick. Reid compares Bain's potential to overcome perceived physical limitations to other NFL stars like Drew Brees and Shannon Sharpe who succeeded despite similar pre-draft doubts.

Why it matters

The Chiefs have a need for pass rush help and could potentially land a top talent in Bain if he slides due to concerns over his arm length. Bain's dominant college production suggests he could be a steal for a team willing to look past his physical measurements.

The details

Bain, who had a strong finish to the college football season, impressed scouts with his leverage and athleticism during pro day workouts, outperforming higher-ranked edge rushers like Arvell Reese in the same drills. While Bain's short arms have removed him from some draft boards, Reid believes teams should look past that and focus on his on-field dominance, similar to how other undersized stars like Drew Brees and Shannon Sharpe overcame pre-draft concerns to become Hall of Famers.

  • Bain only participated in positional drills at Miami's pro day on Monday.
  • Arvell Reese went through the same drills at Ohio State's pro day on Wednesday.

The players

Rueben Bain

An edge rusher prospect in the upcoming NFL Draft who is considered one of the top pass rushers despite concerns over his short arm length.

Jordan Reid

A draft expert who believes Bain is the best edge rusher in the draft and should be seriously considered by teams like the Jets with an early pick.

Drew Brees

A Hall of Fame NFL quarterback who was doubted for his small stature and arm strength before becoming one of the most prolific passers in league history.

Shannon Sharpe

A Hall of Fame NFL tight end who was considered too small for the position but went on to have a dominant 14-year career.

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What they’re saying

“This was such a clean evaluation to me. We've seen this dude dominate down the back stretch. He was phenomenal in the College Football Playoff.”

— Jordan Reid, Draft Expert

“And I get it; he has short arms. But the way that he was able to go out and dominate the way that he did during the back stretch of the season, personally, I think he's the best edge rusher in the draft.”

— Jordan Reid, Draft Expert

“If I'm the Jets at 2, I think it's a serious consideration that you do take him. Now, I don't think they're going to do that, but if I was in a draft room, it would be one player I would stand on the table for. I feel that good about Rueben Bane despite the short arms.”

— Jordan Reid, Draft Expert

What’s next

The Chiefs will continue to evaluate Rueben Bain's potential as the NFL Draft approaches on April 23.

The takeaway

Bain's dominant college production and ability to overcome perceived physical limitations make him an intriguing prospect that teams should not overlook, even with concerns about his arm length. His potential to develop into an elite pass rusher in the NFL could make him a steal for a team willing to take a chance on him.