This offseason, one position group that the Kansas City Chiefs will be looking to upgrade is the pass rush and the defensive line as a whole. The Chiefs struggled to create constant pressure and failed to bring down the opposing team’s quarterback.Â
This season, the Chiefs were ranked 23rd in sacks (35), 10th in quarterback hits (103), and 18th in quarterback pressures (137). Those stats are not good enough, especially when considering that the Denver Broncos, who won the AFC West and made it to the AFC title game, tallied 68 sacks.Â
And we can’t forget to mention that the Seattle Seahawks, who won Super Bowl 60 behind a dominant defensive effort, had 47 sacks during the regular season (seventh in the NFL). If the Chiefs want to get back to the top of the mountain, it starts in the trenches.
Chiefs Should Keep Tabs on Rueben Bain Jr. at NFL Scouting Combine
Kansas City will try to fix this in free agency, but they should also look to address it in the 2026 NFL draft this spring. This year’s edge rusher class is stacked with talent, which is perfect for the Chiefs, who own a top-10 selection.Â
They’ll get their first chance to evaluate the group at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine later this month at Lucas Oil Stadium. On Wednesday, the NFL released the list of 319 prospects that will be at the combine. If you’re Chiefs GM Brett Veach, one guy that should be on your radar is Miami Hurricanes pass rusher Rueben Bain Jr.
At No. 9 overall, the Chiefs could go in a variety of different ways. Most suspect running back with Jeremiyah Love being the most complete RB in this class. However, seeing what Bain did this season and throughout his collegiate career, it's hard to overlook.
Bain doesn’t have the wingspan that some scouts might scoff at for a player, coming in at 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds. However, the Chiefs should not care about that, as he’s been a productive player, not only in the pass-rushing department, but also against the run.
This season for the Hurricanes, Bain had 15.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, and an interception. For his efforts, he was named a Consensus All-American and ACC Defensive Player of the Year.Â
The star defender finished his collegiate career with 33.5 tackles for loss and 20.5 sacks across three seasons, which is nothing to look past.Â
Bain is strong, has quick hands, and would be perfect to put on that defensive line with Chris Jones and George Karlaftis. If the Chiefs were slightly higher in the draft order, they could’ve been in the range for David Bailey, who was a beast at Texas Tech this season.
However, possibly getting Bain at No. 9 is not a bad consolation prize either. As we previously mentioned, if you’re the Chiefs, getting better in the trenches on defense is the No. 1 priority this offseason.Â
Bain would be a great start as Kansas City tries to get back to the top of the AFC West and the AFC in 2026.