The Kansas City Chiefs appear to have hit big on a couple of rookie defenders in the 2026 NFL draft in pass-rusher R Mason Thomas and cornerback Mansoor Delane.
Delane picked off Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix on the defensive back’s first coverage snap of his career. Unfortunately, Delane suffered a shoulder injury later in the first half and left the game for the locker room. He is questionable return.
In Delane’s stead, Thomas picked up the slack. The second-round selection and Oklahoma product coveted for his speed rush off the edge was trending on X during halftime after picking up the first sack of his career in the first half of his debut.
“R Mason Thomas spin cycle for his first career sack!!!” the SleeperChiefs X account captioned video of the play.”
Thomas also registered a tackle for loss in the first half, as the Chiefs defense has given the Broncos fits. Kansas City took a 14-7 lead into the locker room, though the Chiefs are also struggling to push the football down the field against an elite Broncos defense on the other side of the football.
Peter Woods, the team’s third high pick in 2026 to bolster the defense (No. 29 overall in Round 1) logged one tackle across the opening two quarters of his first professional contest.
Chiefs CB Mansoor Delane Done for Night After Injuring Shoulder on Interception of Bo Nix
Delane left the game in the first half with an injury to the same right shoulder he hurt during the summer and which cost him time both during training camp and early in the preseason.
“Mansoor Delane is questionable to return with a shoulder injury. Delane entered training camp with a right shoulder injury that held him out of the Chiefs’ preseason opener,” ESPN’s Nate Taylor reported via X. “After his pick, Delane lands on his right shoulder. He wasn’t on the field for the Broncos’ 2nd drive.”
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported early in the second half that Delane would not return.
Chiefs Rookie Wide Receiver Cyrus Allen Off to Slow Start in NFL Debut
Offensively, wide receiver Cyrus Allen is probably the Chiefs’ rookie with the most excitement around him entering the regular season.
The fifth-round wideout enters the league with a legitimate chance to become a consistent target of quarterback Patrick Mahomes, as the team did not add any other pass-catchers of note during the offseason.
However, Allen had just one target and zero catches halfway through the third quarter.
Chiefs Star Rookie Turning Heads During NFL Debut After Mansoor Delane Exit