Chiefs' Mansoor Delane draft pick started pivotal 4-selection stretch

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Chiefs' Mansoor Delane draft pick started pivotal 4-selection stretch originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Kansas City Chiefs traded up for the No. 6 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and selected cornerback Mansoor Delane out of LSU.

As it turns out, that was setting the tone for what was to come.

They then drafted defensive tackle Peter Woods later in the first round, and on day two, they snagged edge rusher R Mason Thomas and safety Jadon Canady.

It was defense, defense, defense and defense to begin the draft for the Chiefs.

Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo must be happy with the investment on his side of the ball, but now comes the tricky part: These rookies are going to have to grow up in a hurry.

The Chiefs had needs, and the youngsters will be part of the solution to filling them.

"The Chiefs' top four selections were all defenders," ESPN's Nate Taylor wrote in a new article on Monday. "We know cornerback Mansoor Delane will likely start in place of Trent McDuffie. But the trio alongside Delane -- defensive tackle Peter Woods, defensive end R Mason Thomas and safety Jadon Canady -- should have opportunities to be rotational contributors. How well they do will likely determine how much of an improvement the Chiefs' defense makes in 2026."

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In addition to Delane likely replacing McDuffie, Woods is a direct result of that trade with the Rams, as he was chosen with the 29th overall selection that originally belonged to those Rams.

A team doesn't draft defense four picks in a row without at least somewhat intending to -- yes, there's best player available in play at well, but the Chiefs signaled their intent by trading up right away for a cornerback.

Kansas City hopes to have a major bounceback season in 2026. If their defense does indeed improve, that'll help, but there's plenty riding on these young defenders to step right in and perform.

More NFL Draft news:​

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• Mel Kiper Jr. doesn't know how to quit Shedeur Sanders
• Browns' pick used to draft Taylen Green was traded 6 times
• Eli Heidenreich showed what NFL dreams are made of
• Raiders sign guy known as 'The Tokyo Toe'

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