Rueben Bain has formally met with multiple teams, including Chiefs
Bain says teams aren't too concerned over perceived lack of arm length
INDIANAPOLIS – Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr., held court Wednesday with the media at the NFL Scouting Combine.
And there were multiple questions from the assembled media corps surrounding teams that the projected Top 10 pick in the NFL draft met with in a formal setting.
Bain revealed he had formal interviews with the Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans, Dallas Cowboys, and, of course, the Kansas City Chiefs.
While each team currently sits in a good position on the draft board to potentially select Bain, the Chiefs command attention because of the team’s need to boost the ability to get after the quarterback.
For his part, the 6-foot-3, 270-pound Bain came away with a good impression of the Chiefs, a team that currently owns the No. 9 overall pick.
“The interaction was real good,” Bain said of his interview with Kansas City. “I feel like I had a real strong interview.
“To play on that team, just in general, with all the history they’ve had in the previous years from since I was from growing up what I could see is a blessing.”
The Chiefs need a pass rusher of Bain’s caliber.
He finished his college career with 121 tackles (67 solo), which included 33.5 takedowns for a loss, and 20.5 sacks in three seasons. Bain also garnered multiple 2025 recognitions, including first-team All-America, first-team All-ACC, 2025 ACC Defensive Player of the Year and the 2025 Ted Hendricks Award.
The proven production is one thing, but there have been grumblings on Bain’s arm length.
Bain said his arm length has never been an issue while growing up, and he became aware of the perceived concerns after seeing it on social media.
But arguably the only opinions that should matter are from the NFL teams preparing for the draft.
So far, so good.
“None of the teams seem to be too concerned with it as long as I can talk the talk, walk the walk, play the technique, nobody is really asking me about it,” Bain said.
He also said he let teams know what type of player they are getting.
“I eat, sleep and breathe football,” Bain said. “That’s all I do. I don’t have no other hobbies, no other real interests outside of football. This is all I care for; this is all I want to do.”
In the meantime, time will tell whether arm length affects Bain’s draft stock.
He’s not concerned about it, though, and he’s looking forward to the NFL’s annual selection process, regardless of when he hears his name called.
“I’m just approaching it that I’m getting drafted, in general,” Bain said. “No matter where I go – I don’t really care for the number – I just know that whatever team ends up picking me will get the best out of me, will get the best player in the draft, in my opinion.
“I’m going to come in with the mindset to come in and work every day, prove myself in the locker room and just be the person that I am.”
NOTABLES
Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey, another top draft prospect, revealed Wednesday that he had a formal interview with the Chiefs.
Utah linebacker Lander Barton told KC Sports Network that he met informally with the Chiefs. Barton adds he also met with the Chiefs at the Shrine Bowl.