ESPN Insider Reveals Why Chiefs Traded Up To Select LSU Tigers Star Mansoor Delane

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 much 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.

That certainly makes sense, and the Chiefs simply didn't want to risk it, especially with Delane widely regarded as the best CB in the class by a good margin.

Sonny Styles went No. 7 to the Commanders and WR Jordyn Tyson went No. 8 to the Saints, so in theory, Delane would've been there at No. 6, but we will never know if those other teams changed their minds if the Browns selected Francis Mauigoa at No. 6.

What Was the Chiefs' Backup Plan?

The Chiefs also needed an edge rusher, and they solved that by taking R Mason Thomas from Oklahoma in the second round.

But, Fowler adds that the backup plan at No. 9 was Miami Hurricanes edge Rueben Bain Jr., who slid a bit and went to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Bain had been projected to Kansas City at No. 9 in a lot of mock drafts, so that isn't a surprise, but the drop-off in the cornerback position group was far greater than the edge rusher group.