The Kansas City Chiefs traded up to No. 6 to select LSU star cornerback Mansoor Delane in the 2026 NFL Draft. That aggressive approach drew mixed reviews, considering that they probably could've waited and still taken him at No. 9.
Delane's tape and college numbers well justified the Chiefs' desire to get him. However, he spent most of training camp in a yellow non-contact jersey and missed all but one drive in Week 1 and all of Week 2 due to a lingering shoulder injury.
That's why watching him dominate in his first full game, making a huge impact on defense in the Chiefs' Week 3 win against the Miami Dolphins, was finally some vindication that the Chiefs made the right call. It's early, but the first returns were encouraging.
The Chiefs finally got to watch Mansoor Delane dominate at full capacity
Head coach Andy Reid revealed the team wanted to err on the side of caution with Delane in his recovery. He probably could've played in the win over the Indianapolis Colts a week ago if needed, but it was better to give him more days to recover and be a full go.
Clearly, that was the right approach. Delane finished the game with 10 total tackles, including one tackle for loss. He also had one pass breakup, and while he gave up five receptions, opposing wide receivers amassed a grand total of just 24 receiving yards. He also showed that not only is he a good cover corner, Delane can really get downhill and tackle.
What a hit by the rookie, Mansoor Delane 😳@KCvsMIA on CBS/Paramount+
— NFL (@NFL) September 27, 2026
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/fP3P4ifova
Even more importantly, Delane played all but one defensive snap in the win. Availability is the best of abilities, and with all the concerns about his health and durability, this was certainly a big step in the right direction.
The Chiefs revamped their secondary this offseason. Bryan Cook, Jaylen Watson, and Trent McDuffie are all elsewhere, so the rookie has some big shoes to fill. That might be a tall ask right out of the gate, but he certainly looked the part in his first full game of the season.
Andy Reid's team is undefeated and looks like a legitimate Super Bowl contender. For the first time in ages, Patrick Mahomes doesn't have to do everything, with Kenneth Walker III also getting a big workload, and the new-look defense looking like it has major potential if the pieces mesh in time.
Delane's production in Week 3 was off the charts, already showcasing his ball-hawk potential and even making an impact against the run. It's still way too early, and durability will probably remain a concern for as long as the Chiefs continue to spoon-feed him, but he definitely aced his first test.
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