The Kansas City Chiefs are likely putting the final touches on their strategy for the 2026 NFL Draft, which is less than two weeks away.
They will have a general plan in place, but also stay flexible due to potential trades and players falling later than expected. A good example of that is a significant piece of news that recently broke regarding a high-profile prospect.
Kansas City Chiefs May Think Twice About Selecting Edge Rusher Rueben Bain Jr.
On Sunday night it was revealed that Bain was involved in an auto accident back in 2024, which resulted in one of his passengers dying. David Hale of ESPN has the details:
“Bain was cited for careless driving for the accident that occurred at about 4 a.m. local time on March 17, 2024, on Interstate 95 northbound in Miami, according to documents obtained by The Read Optional. The crash report alleges Bain was driving a 2021 Land Rover SUV that had three other passengers — fellow Hurricanes football players Wesley Bissainthe and Nyjalik Kelly, along with a 22-year-old Georgia woman, Destiny Betts. Bain’s vehicle rear-ended another car, veered into a concrete barrier, then ricocheted into another barrier before coming to a rest on the shoulder of the highway. Betts was taken to Ryder Trauma Center in Miami, according to The Read Optional. The outlet reported that Betts was in a coma for nearly three months before she died from her injuries on June 13, 2024. Bain was cited at the time of the incident, but charges were dropped prior to Betts’ death, according to The Read Optional. No field sobriety tests were given, according to the crash report.”
According to college sports reporter Trey Wallace, Bain was cited for careless driving again in 2025, which was also ultimately dismissed.
Bain has been linked to Kansas City about as much as any other prospect during the offseason. He is considered one of the best edge rushers in this year’s draft class, which is arguably the Chiefs’ biggest remaining roster need. We won’t likely know if these incidents will impact Bain being an early first-round pick until Night 1 of the draft unfolds on April 23.
Chiefs Have Done Their Homework on Rueben Bain Jr.
GettyRueben Bain Jr.
Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported that NFL teams have been aware of the incidents involving Bain for quite some time. Kansas City has met with Bain twice this offseason, once during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine back in February, and the other on a top-30 visit just occurred just last week.
The Chiefs have certainly discussed the incidents with Bain extensively. If they end up selecting him, it will mean they feel very comfortable that there was no wrongdoing by Bain and that the situations were handled properly. If Bain falls to the middle-late end of the first round, or further, it will be telling.
Last season at Miami Bain recorded 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. He is highly athletic and plays with a high motor. Until these off-the-field incidents were revealed, the only real knock on him has been his size, specifically his short arm length. The Chiefs could also pass on Bain simply due to the fact that he may not be scheme fit.
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