Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs.
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The Kansas City Chiefs are being predicted to be the envy of NFL teams with their careful selection at No. 9 in the draft.
The 2026 NFL is getting closer, and it’s going to be an important one for the Kansas City Chiefs. For the first time in years, the team has a top 10 pick in the draft, so all eyes will be on this franchise when they made their decision on which player to select when that early draft pick roles around.
One of the most buzzed-about position in this draft class is edge. It seems pass rushers are among the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in the NFL today, with guys such as Aidan Hutchinson and Trey Hendrickson getting plenty of bag.
The Kansas City Chiefs could sure use some pass rusher depth, and some NFL analysts and experts believe the team will score big on that position in the NFL draft.
Kansas City Chiefs Get Star Edge in NFL Draft Projection, Snagging an Up-and-Coming Talent
The NFL draft, which is celebrating its 91st year, is going to take place April 23 through 25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. So, who will the Chiefs picks for their No. 9 selection in the draft?
In a Wednesday, April 1 feature for Yahoo Sports, NFL analysts Nate Tice and Charles McDonald name their picks for the 2026 NFL draft, and as the date approaches, these choices tend to get more accurate, because teams rosters’ start to fill up.
“With the NFL spring meetings this week in Phoenix, team owners, coaches and general managers are meeting with media to offer updates on offseason news,” they say in the feature, which looks at the entire first round. “That includes answering questions about the 2026 NFL Draft.”
These two experts believe the Chiefs will go with Rueben Bain Jr., an edge, out of Miami for their No. 9 pick.
“Kansas City takes five seconds to turn this pick in. By the luck of the draw, one of the most disruptive defensive ends in college football falls into the Chiefs’ lap as they try to re-infuse premier talent into their defense,” they state. “Bain would be a perfect fit in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense and form a productive trio alongside Chris Jones and George Karlaftis.”
Kansas City Chiefs Hopeful Is a ‘Note Taker, Grudge Holder and Block Destructor’
Bain’s NFL draft profile says that he’s a “note taker, grudge holder and block destructor with a compact frame and defensive tackle play strength. Bain is ill-tempered with his take-ons, hitting blockers with heavy hand strikes.” So, usually holding a grudge isn’t good, but it’s great here.
“He plays through tight ends and can anchor against tackles and double teams,” the profile adds. On the downside, “his lack of length can lead to him being smothered if he doesn’t land the first strike.” But, don’t let that deter you, because this player “can bend and flip his hips at the top of the rush, swipe away punches and generate a strong bull rush.”
The profile wraps up by saying, “His playoff run showed an ability to generate quick wins if tackles are passive in setting to him. He can rush off the edge or mismatch guards as a sub-package rusher. Bain’s explosive power and toughness should translate, giving him a high floor as an NFL starter.”