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ESPN Analyst Highlights Prospect Who Would ‘Thrive’ with Kansas City Chiefs
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- ESPN Analyst Highlights Prospect Who Would ‘Thrive’ with Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has consistently shown that he's not afraid to make major changes to the roster. While last year's team failed to make the playoffs, the Chiefs are confident in their ability to bounce back in 2026.
Yet, there's no running from the Chiefs' weaknesses. While one departed via trade, they've lost two starting cornerbacks this offseason. What's the plan to replace them? With two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Chiefs will have their opportunities.
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Recently, ESPN's Matt Bowen highlighted one potential fix: Draft LSU's Mansoor Delane with the ninth overall pick in the first round. Bowen believes Delane would "thrive" in Kansas City , playing under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
"Kansas City played man coverage on 52.3% of opponent dropbacks in 2025, the fourth-highest rate in the league. Delane would thrive in those coverages (mainly Cover 1, Cover 0 and Cover 2 Man) as a press corner with the speed to match vertically. Plus, he can jam and sink in Cover 2. This is an easy fit for who I think is the top cornerback in the class."
Delane is widely viewed as the best cornerback in the draft class, and he'd certainly inject an elite athlete back into Kansas City's secondary. Delane's 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the LSU Pro Day showed he has the speed to stick with the game's greatest athletes; now he just has to go prove it. He may get that chance in Kansas City.
Yet, other teams selecting in the top ten have cornerback needs too. The question is whether they're willing to commit a top-ten pick to the position, or whether they'll find other needs to be more pressing. The same is true for the Chiefs, who could also use an edge rusher, an offensive tackle, or possibly another pass-catching weapon for Mahomes .
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If the Chiefs determine that Delane is not the right fit with the ninth overall pick, they could also circle back to the position later, as they also have the 29th overall pick in the first round.
Related: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: End of March Edition
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