The Kansas City Chiefs could have a few things in the works when they’re on the clock with the No. 9 overall pick in next week’s NFL draft. But while wide receiver and cornerback are options, the stars are aligning for the Chiefs to take Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain.
Bain has become one of the most polarizing prospects heading into the draft with his short arms and involvement in a 2024 car accident, where a person later died. But his position is only becoming more expensive, especially after the Houston Texans reached an agreement with Will Anderson Jr. on a three-year, $150 million contract extension on Friday.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport also reports that Anderson’s deal comes with $100 million fully guaranteed and makes him the league’s highest-paid non-quarterback. It’s a contract that should grab the Chiefs' attention and lead them to run in the card if Bain is still available on Thursday night.
Chiefs Should Target Rueben Bain at No. 9 After Will Anderson’s Massive Extension
The Chiefs have done their best to create smoke screens regarding their intentions with the No. 9 overall pick. Kansas City needs a cornerback after trading Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams and losing Jaylen Watson in free agency. There is also a need at wide receiver due to the uncertain future and high asking price of top receiver Rashee Rice. Both positions can and should be addressed early in the draft due to the savings on a rookie-scale deal, but pass rusher may be similar as it creeps closer to the numbers that quarterbacks are getting paid.
Anderson’s deal tops Micah Parsons of the Green Bay Packers ($46.5 million per year) as the highest-paid edge rusher in the league, slightly ahead of Aidan Hutchinson of the Detroit Lions ($45 million per year). T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers ($41 million), Danielle Hunter of the Texans ($40.1 million), and Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns ($40 million) also make over $40 million per season, with prices only going up as more edge rushers become eligible for new deals.
By comparison, Spotrac estimates that the No. 9 overall pick could be worth $30.8 million in total money and include a fifth-year option. With five years of team control being one of the perks of using a first-round pick on a player, and a glaring need at pass rusher, the Chiefs would be foolish not to keep an eye out for EDGE help. Bain would be the most logical target.
Despite Bain’s 30 ⅞” arms (h/t MockDraftable) and off-field concerns, he was one of the most productive pass rushers in college football with the Hurricanes, logging 9.5 sacks during a run to the national championship game and 20.5 sacks total in his three seasons at Miami. Bain also tallied 83 pressures and a 14.9 percent pressure rate on 557 pass-rushing snaps last year, according to Pro Football Focus, and could add an impact player to the Kansas City defense.
This would be great news for the Chiefs, who still have George Karlaftis, but have major questions at the other spot. Ashton Gillotte is the current projected starter, but he logged just 1.5 sacks and 24 pressures on 268 pass-rushing snaps during his rookie season. 2023 first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah is also still on the roster but missed all of last season with a hamstring strain and could be on the roster bubble ahead of the offseason program.
With most elite edge rushers coming in the early round of the draft, it adds another reason why Bain should be a Chief by this time next week. But if Kansas City was unsure, Anderson’s massive payday should be enough to swing them in the right direction.
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