Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 24: General manager Brett Veach of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 24, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Meetings at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine are in full swing, and the Kansas City Chiefs are in the thick of things.
Kansas City owns the No. 9 overall selection in this year’s draft, its highest since picking first overall in 2013. The last several drafts have been challenging for the Chiefs as they have consistently picked in the bottom of each round. This year, they’ll have the opportunity to take multiple players who can make instant impacts as rookies.
The Chiefs have several needs throughout their roster, something they haven’t been faced with in quite some time. Defensive line, running back, wide receiver, and defensive back are all priority position groups for the Chiefs this offseason. While at the combine, they have already wasted no time addressing one of those groups.
Kansas City Chiefs Had Formal Meeting With Miami Hurricanes Edge Rusher Rueben Bain Jr.
Miami DL Rueben Bain Jr.
GettyCould the Kansas City Chiefs make a splash by drafting Miami DL Rueben Bain Jr.?
Bain is among the top prospects in the entire 2026 draft class, and has often been mocked to Kansas City at No. 9 overall. Whether or not he will still be available when the Chiefs hit the clock remains to be seen, but he would certainly give their defensive line a major boost if they were to select him. Bain confirmed to reporters on Wednesday that he has already met with the Chiefs.
“I feel like I had a real strong interview ,” Bain said. “To play on that team, just in general, with all the history it’s had in previous years since I was growing up from what I can see. It’s a blessing.”
Bain has all the physical gifts you want in a pass rusher, and utilizes them by playing with a high motor. Last season at Miami he recorded 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. There has been some concern about his arm length, but Bain dismissed that notion when asked about it.
“I didn’t hear it until later in the year, but it kind of surprised me because I never heard it all my life,” Bain said. “I don’t give it the time of day, honestly.”
Chiefs Need Multiple Upgrades Along Their Defensive Line
It depends who you ask when it comes to what Kansas City’s biggest roster need is, but defensive line undoubtably must be addressed. Star defensive tackle Chris Jones will be 32 years old at the beginning of next season, and badly needs some pressure taken off of him. Both starting defensive ends, George Karlaftis and Mike Danna, turned in disappointing performances in 2025.
The Chiefs released Danna on Monday, saving them $9 million in salary cap space. Karlaftis isn’t going anywhere after receiving a four-year, $93 million contract extension last offseason, so he needs another strong end on the other side of the defensive line to complement him. Bain would certainly fit that bill.
Kansas City could also use another strong defensive tackle to line up next to Jones. It selected Omarr Norman-Lott in the second round of last year’s draft, but his rookie season was a wash after tearing his ACL in Week 7. Veterans Mike Pennel and Derrick Nnadi aren’t expected to return, so the Chiefs sorely need depth at defensive tackle.