The Kansas City Chiefs made an aggressive move to select cornerback Mansoor Delane in the 2026 NFL Draft.
They traded their No. 9, 74, and 148 picks to the Cleveland Browns to move up to sixth overall, taking Delane. That not only fills a big need for the Chiefs, but gives them a high upside player at a premium position.
Mansoor Delane Gets Emotional After Being Selected by Kansas City Chiefs
GettyCB Mansoor Delane
Delane addressed the media after being drafted by the Chiefs, and shared that he got emotional as he didn’t expect Kansas City to select him.
“I get the phone call, and the Chiefs already traded up, and I was like dang it, I wanted to go to the Chiefs,” Delane said. “Then I looked down for a quick second, I picked up the phone, and I’m like, woah, this is crazy. That’s when the emotion came to me. I was just so blessed to be on a team like this.”
Delane went on to say that the Chiefs drafting him will be the best move of the draft.
“It’s the best move,” Delane exclaimed. “I truly believe that defense wins championships. With the offense we already have now, it makes our (the defense) job even easier. Being able to step in, and you see the impact, now that the league is such a passing league, everybody wants to score points, and I’m here to shut it down. So I think that’s the best move you can make.”
Delane was a lockdown corner during his collegiate career, recording eight interceptions, 27 passes defensed, 191 total tackles, and four forced fumbles in three season with Virginia Tech and one at LSU. He will have a shot to be the Chiefs’ top corner right off the bat, and could go on to establish himself as one of the best in the NFL.
Chiefs Have Remade Their Defensive Secondary
Kansas City’s secondary will look much different in 2026. Gone are starting cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, as well as starting safety Bryan Cook. Taking their place are Delane, Nohl Williams, and Alohi Gilman.
Williams showed plenty of positives flashes during his rookie year in 2025, and should start opposite of Delane. The Chiefs made other free agent additions in Kader Kohou, who plays primarily in the slot, and Kaiir Elam, who was a first-round draft pick in 2022.
Kendall Fulton should also play a significant role within the cornerback corps after impressing during the final few games of last season. At safety, Gilman will take over Cook’s role. Gilman is a six-year veteran who is coming off one of the best seasons of his career with the Baltimore Ravens.
2026 could feel very similar to the 2022 season, which was the last time Kansas City revitalized its secondary. There is a nice blend of youth and experience, and Pro Bowl upside with several of its members. Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and secondary coach Dave Merritt are known for getting the most out of their defensive backs, and will look to work their magic once again with a new group.
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