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Commanders draft prospect, LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane.

The Kansas City Chiefs executed a specific plan in order to acquire cornerback Mansoor Delane in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

General manager Brett Veach revealed that the team decided on Delane as their top target about a month before the draft. To make sure they would land him, the Chiefs traded up from No. 9 to No. 6 with the Cleveland Browns, while also surrendering to them the 74th and 148th overall picks.

Kansas City Chiefs Had WR Jordyn Tyson, S Caleb Downs as Backup Plans if They Missed out on Mansoor Delane

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer revealed during his draft takeaways that the Chiefs knew they would have to trade up to secure Delane. However, if they were unable to find a trade partner, the Chiefs would have made a choice between Tyson or Downs.

“As the draft drew closer, and the Chiefs gamed it out, they figured if they stayed at No. 9, and they lost out Delane, they’d wind up with Ohio State safety Caleb Downs or Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson. Then, they’d probably have to move up to land San Diego State CB Chris Johnson—and give up a third- or fourth-rounder to do it. So, the logic followed, why not just give up the third-rounder and get the guy they liked more?”

It’s tough to say who they would have chosen between Tyson or Downs, but in this writer’s opinion, it would have been Downs. Talent-wise, Tyson could be the best receiver to come out of this year’s draft, but his long injury history made him a risk. Downs was arguably the most can’t-miss overall prospect, and would have been the ultimate chess piece for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

Chiefs Would Have Likely Not Drafted DT Peter Woods if They Didn’t Take Delane

Regardless of if they took Tyson or Downs, Breer stated the Chiefs would have tried to move up from their No. 29 selection to select Johnson. Had they paired Downs with Johnson, Kansas City’s secondary would have gained two potential elite players. While that’s an intriguing thought, spreading the wealth to the defensive line by adding Woods seems to make better sense.

Woods will not only take some pressure off of Chris Jones, but he could be his heir apparent. The Chiefs ranked 25th in sacks last season, so they had add a high profile player along the defensive line Even having taken Delane, the Chiefs still further bolstered their secondary with fourth-round pick Jadon Canady.

Debates can be had all day, but what’s most important is that Kansas City got its top guy. Spagnuolo has a keen eye for defensive back talent, and Breer also revealed that the Chiefs’ brass held Delane in very high regard.

“They liked the player, of course. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo saw some parallels to ex-Chiefs star L’Jarius Sneed in Delane’s game, with his fluidity, patience, calm style of play, ball skills, inside/outside versatility and rare makeup speed. The front office felt like, once he proved his top-shelf speed, with a 4.3 40-yard dash at his pro day, Delane was one of the best corner prospects to come out this decade.”