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Rueben Bain Jr. Leads 3 Impact Draft Prospects Chiefs Should Consider at No. 9

ByEfstathios Savvidis|
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Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (4) against the Indiana Hoosiers during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (4) against the Indiana Hoosiers during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Kansas City Chiefs were relatively active in free agency, spending $118.5 million in cap space according to Over the Cap. However, general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid still have plenty of work to do on the roster if they’re to return to the postseason. 

The most glaring need for Kansas City is an edge rusher, as they have few quality pass rushers outside of George Karlaftis. Additionally, quarterback Patrick Mahomes could use another playmaker to make his transition back to the field much easier. 

Fortunately for Chiefs fans, the front office can address these needs through the draft, as they hold the No. 9 overall selection. With the draft just nine days away, Veach and Reid should have an idea of which prospects will be available and who they’d want to pick when the time comes. 

With this in mind, here are the three potential difference-makers that the Chiefs should consider at No. 9 

3 Impactful Draft Prospects Chiefs Should Consider

1. Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE – Miami

Just how bad was the Chiefs’ pass rush last season? Well, they were tied 22nd in sacks (35) and 24th in hurry percentage (7.1 percent) despite ranking third in blitz percentage (31.3 percent). Their pass rush relied almost entirely on defensive linemen Chris Jones and Karlaftis, who combined for 13 sacks. 

After failing to address the need via free agency, they must desperately acquire help at the position in the draft. This year’s draft features several high-caliber pass-rushers, and edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. is one of them. 

Bain had an electrifying year for the University of Miami Hurricanes, posting 54 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, and a ridiculous 68 hurries. His dominance against the run and pass, which earned him a 92.5 overall grade, per Pro Football Focus, played an enormous part in the team’s National Championship appearance. 

Bain is arguably the best edge rusher in the draft, and the Chiefs wouldn’t have to ponder selecting him if he falls to No. 9. He would immediately slide in as their starting edge rusher opposite of Karlaftis and give the pass rush the immense boost it needs. 

With defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Bain should continue generating pressure at a high clip. 

2. Makai Lemon, WR – USC

The Chiefs’ offense hasn’t looked anywhere close to its dominant self the last two years. This is mainly due to the lack of talent in the receiving corps. While it’s not necessarily a bad group, it’s not a great one either. 

With Mahomes coming off a torn ACL, it would be wise to ease the pressure off him and surround him with quality playmakers. Enter Makai Lemon, who’s coming off a breakout season for the USC Trojans. 

Across 12 games, Lemon logged 79 receptions, 1,156 yards, and 11 touchdowns. He was an impactful contributor in every game, recording at least 100 receiving yards in five games, while finishing with fewer than 40 receiving yards in three contests.

Lemon’s playmaking ability is up there with the very best in his draft class, and it’s evident the Chiefs are interested in the 21-year-old after hosting him for a pre-draft visit. Selecting Lemon would be a smart move by the Chiefs, as it would add explosiveness to the receiving room. 

Because of Lemon’s size, his primary position will likely be in the slot; however, he’s proven to be more than capable of creating separation from the outside. If there’s one guy who can figure out how to utilize receivers, it’s Reid, and by drafting Lemon, the Chiefs’ offense could return to its former glory. 

3. Mansoor Delane, CB – LSU

Trading cornerback Trent McDuffie was a tough decision for Kansas City, but a necessary one. Regardless of whether fans favored or were against the move, the Chiefs are now thin at cornerback. 

Even though Spagnuolo has proven time and time again that he’s capable of developing and enhancing cornerback play, the franchise urgently needs to improve the unit. They could do just that by using the No. 9 selection on cornerback Mansoor Delane. 

While some draft experts argue that cornerback Jermod McCoy is better, he missed the entirety of last season with a torn ACL and doesn’t have the same track record as Delane. Over his four years split between Virginia Tech and LSU, Delane logged 191 total tackles, eight interceptions, and 27 pass deflections across 44 games.  

Few quarterbacks had any success throwing in Delane’s direction last season, as he allowed just 14 receptions on 35 targets and 165 receiving yards. Throughout his career, he’s proven to be a shutdown corner, allowing a career 47.5 receiving percentage, per PFF. 

Delane’s skill set would provide Kansas City’s secondary with a huge boost. Currently, they don’t have a corner capable of matching up against the premier receivers. Delane gives the Chiefs an option to contain the opposing team’s top receiver. 

With Spagnuolo taking him under his wing, Delane could transform into the next top corner in Kansas City.

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