The clock is ticking on former first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah and his time with the Kansas City Chiefs. Anudike-Uzomah, 24, is entering the fourth and possibly final year of his rookie contract, failing to produce through three seasons.
The former Kansas State defensive end missed all of the 2025 season with a hamstring injury, which is the last thing he needed, as the Chiefs drafted Ashton Gillotte in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft, who showed some flashes when given an opportunity.
The same can’t be said for Anudike-Uzomah, who might need to be worried about his spot, as the Chiefs are doing their homework on the top pass rushers in this year’s draft class. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Chiefs are hosting Rueben Bain Jr. for a top-30 visit on Thursday.
Bain is considered one of the top defensive players in this year’s class and could be there when the Chiefs are picking at No. 9 overall later this month.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah Won’t Love to Hear About Rueben Bain’s Draft Visit
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard Kansas City being connected to the former University of Miami Hurricanes edge rusher. During the NFL Scouting Combine in February, Bain told reporters that he interviewed with the Chiefs and felt as if he had “a real strong interview,” per Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star.
Bain was an absolute game-changer on defense for the Hurricanes this past season, racking up 54 combined tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, and an interception in 16 games. And for his efforts, he was named a consensus All-American and ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
There are concerns about Bain’s arm length and whether it will impact him at the next level. However, the Chiefs aren’t worried about it, as they need guys who can come in and produce, which Anudike-Uzomah hasn’t done.
The 6-foot-4, 255-pound pass rusher has played 34 games (three starts) through two seasons, with most of his snaps coming on defense. The last time we saw Anudike-Uzomah on the field during the regular season was in 2024. He had 27 combined tackles, seven quarterback hits, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Those aren’t spectacular numbers by any means, but it's an improvement from what Anudike-Uzomah did as a rookie in 2023. However, the injury that he suffered last summer really took the wind out of his sails, and it makes you wonder where he fits.
Gillotte, whom we mentioned earlier, took some strides as a rookie (eight QB hits, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a pass deflection, and an interception) and could have a bigger role in 2026 regardless of any other moves Kansas City makes.
The Chiefs haven’t added any veteran pass rushers in free agency, which could be looked at as a good sign for the former first-round pick. But with the Chiefs lurking around Bain, and still the threat to possibly sign Cam Jordan or another vet, Anudike-Uzomah is on shaky ground, which is not where he wants to be with the Chiefs having to decide on his fifth-year option in the coming weeks.