Mansoor Delane
Getty
The Washington Commanders are urged to draft an "island pillar" for Daronte Jones' defense.
Following the first day of free agent legal tampering, the Kansas City Chiefs have given themselves a lot of flexibility in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Chiefs agreed to contracts with several free agents on Monday, including running back Kenneth Walker III, defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga, and safety Alohi Gilman. They also re-signed a pair of key offensive playmakers in tight end Travis Kelce and wide receiver Tyquan Thornton.
You can very likely cross off running back as a position option when the Chiefs hit the clock with their No. 9 overall selection next month. However, they could still go multiple different directions. Given some of the players Kansas City hasn’t been able to retain, it could have a new top roster need worthy of their first pick.
Kansas City Chiefs Select CB Mansoor Delane in NFL Draft Analyst Field Yates’ Newest Mock
After losing both starting cornerbacks in Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to the Los Angeles Rams, the Chiefs have a clear need at the position. Here’s what Yates had to say about Delane possibly being picked by Kansas City:
“The Chiefs’ secondary will be reshaped in 2026, as the team’s top two cornerbacks (Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson) are now with the Rams. Delane had an excellent 2025 season at LSU, showcasing strong technique in man coverage and timing on pass breakup opportunities. He finished with two interceptions and 11 passes defensed. Delane did not run a 40-yard dash at the combine, which didn’t help ease some questions in the scouting community about his straight-line speed. But he makes up for any potential lack of speed with fundamentally sound coverage play.”
Field Yates
A flash top-10 mock draft the first wave of free agency moves.
I’ll be updating this all week to account for major moves that may impact the top 10.
Delane was the first cornerback off the board in Yates’ mock draft. He also had the Chiefs passing on edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., who went to the Cincinnati Bengals one pick later. That would certainly be a polarizing decision by the Chiefs, but Delane would come in and compete for the top cornerback spot on Day 1.
Examining the Chiefs’ 2026 NFL Draft Capitol
Chiefs draft pick C.J. Hanson a cut candidate entering training camp.
GettyKansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid
Here is a look at the nine total selections the Chiefs have in this year’s draft:
Round 1: No. 9 overall, No. 29 overall (from Rams)
Round 2: No. 40 overall
Round 3: No. 73 overall
Round 4: No. 109 overall
Round 5: No. 148 overall, No. 169 overall (from Rams), No. 176 overall (comp pick)
Round 6: No. 210 overall (from Rams)
If Kansas City doesn’t take a cornerback at No. 9, it could use one of its four picks in the top 100 on one. Other positions that most would agree the Chiefs will attack early in the draft are defensive line, wide receiver, safety, and offensive line. The latter would be at right tackle specifically, as it seems they have been monitoring the position closely in free agency.
Regardless of how the rest of the offseason shakes out, the Chiefs have given themselves more flexibility than it had when the 2025 season concluded. They can still add some impact free agents, and own a lot of premium draft picks. Both the offensive and defensive units are being retooled, and will hopefully give Kansas City the new jolt of energy it needs.