The Kansas City Chiefs’ secondary is going to look a lot different in September than it did walking off the field in Las Vegas, back in January, to close out the 2025 season. April’s NFL Draft may hold the key to it being competent.
General manager Brett Veach shipped cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams, to acquire an additional first-round pick as part of the return, and Jaylen Watson departed via free agency.
NFL Draft 2026: Kansas City Chiefs linked to rising cornerback
LSU Tigers, Mansoor Delane, NFL Draft
Sep 13, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Mansoor Delane (4) reacts to Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (not pictured) making an incomplete pass during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Over at NFL Media, analyst Eric Edholm suggests that the Chiefs could snag one of the fastest rising prospects in this year’s class, selecting LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane with the No. 9 overall selection.
“Withtwo of their starting corners heading to the Rams this offseason (Trent McDuffie" data-link="/players/trent-mcduffie/" data-slug="trent-mcduffie">Trent McDuffie via trade andJaylen Watson" data-link="/players/jaylen-watson/" data-slug="jaylen-watson">Jaylen Watson via free agency),” Edholm writes, of Kansas City, in his latest mock draft projection. “The Chiefs have a tough time passing on the top option here. Delane is a press-man corner who gets physical in the run game, too. That’s what coordinator Steve Spagnuolo seeks at the position.”
Delane is apparently rising up draft boards, and his physicality could make him an ideal fit for how Kansas City likes to play defense. If this is in fact a bit of a rebuilding year, given the uncertainty over when Patrick Mahomes will return from tearing his ACL last December, Delane could be a foundational piece to overhauling the defense.
LSU Tigers, Mansoor Delane, NFL Draft
Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; LSU defensive back Mansoor Delane (DB06) speaks to media members during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images