ESPN Insider Reveals Why Chiefs Traded Up To Select LSU Tigers Star Mansoor Delane
The Kansas City Chiefs spent a lot to move up three picks to select LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, but they simply didn't want to take the risk.
The Kansas City Chiefs entered the 2026 NFL Draft needing to address the defense, and they did that early and often. It began with moving up three picks from No. 9 to No.
6 in a trade with the Cleveland Browns, and it wound up with Kansas City selecting LSU Tigers star cornerback Mansoor Delane. At that time, many wondered why the Chiefs gave up so muc h to select a player who might have been available at No. 9.
However, the Chiefs felt he would be gone, and ESPN's Jeremy Fowler detailed that in his latest intel piece. "Kansas City's internal draft simulator suggested either Washington (No. 7) or New Orleans (No.
8) or both could be threats to pick Delane. In fact, Kansas City felt a strong pull that New Orleans' chances to go corner were at least decent despite the smoke around the Saints taking a receiver, which they ultimately did. Its simulations suggested that Delane would be one of New Orleans' top three options," Fowler wrote.