Analyst makes compelling Chiefs case for defensive stud in NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NFL Draft is nearly upon us, and teams are finalizing their draft boards, with the Kansas City Chiefs no different.
With teams going over every player, looking at anything and everything, teams will know all they need to by the time draft night comes around.
One player who has mixed thoughts is Miami's Rueben Bain Jr., mainly due to his reported shorter arms, with some teams think will be a problem in the NFL and hinder his ability to be a top-quality pass rusher.
However, The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner isn't buying all the negativity over Bain's arms.
"Another guy I pretty much refuse to overcomplicate in this class is Bain," Baumgardner wrote. "The length concerns are real, but only to a point. I prefer Reese and Bailey as defensive line prospects over Bain, but the list stops there. His play strength, violence and quickness off the snap render his arm disadvantage useless — more than many realize. If you want to play him inside, he’ll dominate people there, too."
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The Chiefs need pass rush help for Chris Jones and George Karlaftis, and Bain Jr. fits the bill.
He posted 15.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks last season for the Hurricanes, and while some might view his shorter arms as problematic, I'd imagine Steve Spagnuolo will find a way to make Bain productive in his scheme.
The Chiefs have a need, and might not have to trade up to get Rueben, and if he does land in Kansas City, the defense will look far more formidable than it did last season.
Are Bain's reported short arms a deal breaker? Not for the Chiefs.
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