The Kansas City Chiefs blew a big hole in their secondary when they traded Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams, but could soon have the chance to fill part of it.
Analyst Alec Elijah of Pro Football Sports Network believes the Chiefs will face a rare opportunity in the upcoming NFL draft, selecting earlier than usual with the top defensive back still on the board. Elijah suggested the Chiefs will jump at the opportunity, finding an immediate replacement for McDuffie in the secondary.
Chiefs Take Top Cornerback With No. 9 Pick
Elijah predicted the Chiefs would land LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane with the No. 9 overall pick.
“Losing talent in the offseason is part of the game, but when two starting cornerbacks are let go and traded away, that can quickly shift a team’s draft priorities,” Elijah wrote. “That’s the situation facing the Kansas City Chiefs, who now enter the first round with a clear need in the secondary and a prime opportunity to address it.”
Elijah believes Delane will still be on the board when it’s time for the Chiefs to pick, giving them a McDuffie replacement who is ready to start on opening day.
“The name that stands out for Kansas City is LSU’s Mansoor Delane, regarded as PFSN’s consensus CB1 in this class,” Elijah wrote. “After posting a class-leading 96.8 PFSN CB Impact grade in 2025, Delane has separated himself as one of the most NFL-ready defensive backs available.”
NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein agreed with Elijah’s assessment, calling Delane one of the most NFL-ready defensive backs in the draft.
“Delane is one of the top cornerbacks in a CB-rich draft,” Zierlein wrote. “He excels in press coverage, altering release timing with punches and slides. Smooth hips and efficient footwork keep him connected in man coverage, while his processing allows for quick transitions in off-man and short zone looks. He has good top-end speed for vertical phasing but is inconsistent turning to find the football.”
Zierlein added that Delane also proved in 2025 that he can play through injury.
“He played through a core muscle injury for much of the 2025 season and still performed at an elite level,” Zierlein wrote. “Delane’s emergence over the past two years might be indicative of what’s to come, as he’s shown lockdown potential.”
Chiefs Have Already Addressed Offensive Priorities
The Chiefs are expected to take a different direction in the NFL draft than many experts had predicted before the start of free agency. The team had a significant need at running back that was addressed by the signing of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, who is expected to play a versatile role in both the running and passing games.
Many had also predicted the Chiefs would look for a tight end in the first round, but veteran Travis Kelce decided to come back on a new contract and opted against retirement. The moves give the Chiefs the latitude to address other areas, with cornerback seen as one of the top priorities.
Chiefs Predicted to Land Promising Replacement for Trent McDuffie