As the Kansas City Chiefs hadn't owned a top-10 pick in the NFL draft since they selected Patrick Mahomes 10th overall back in 2017, the organization knew it would be spending a little more on rookies heading into this year's festivities, as an abysmal 6-11 finish put them in the No. 9 overall position in the opening round.
The Chiefs, of course, opted not to stay at No. 9, swapping first-rounders and also sending a third-rounder and a fifth-rounder to the Cleveland Browns in order to move up three slots to No. 6, where they took LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane. Kansas City also had a second first-rounder at No. 29 overall, which came over from the Los Angeles Rams in the Trent McDuffie trade, with that selection ultimately being used to take Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods.
The Chiefs used their only Day 2 selection at No. 40 overall to take Oklahoma edge rusher R Mason Thomas and continued to replenish Steve Spagnuolo's unit with their first pick on Day 3, selecting Oregon cornerback Jadon Canady at No. 109 overall. Kansas City then closed out with a trio of offensive picks, selecting Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson (Round 5, No. 161 overall), Cincinnati wide receiver Cyrus Allen (Round 5, No. 176 overall), and LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (Round 7, No. 249 overall).
So, what will these players cost the Chiefs if everyone signs their slotted contracts under the 2026 rookie scale? Let's have a look, shall we? And just to get this out of the way ahead of time, all the figures you'll see below come courtesy of Spotrac.
Mansoor Delane, No. 6 overall: 4 years -- $41,931,992
As the No. 6 overall pick, Delane is entitled to a four-year deal worth $41,931,992, which breaks down as follows:
- 2026: $7,623,998
- 2027: $9,529,998
- 2028: $11,435,998
- 2029: $13,341,998
There will be an option for a fifth year, of course, but there are four different tiers that can determine that figure down the line, so we'll leave that alone for now.
At this number, Delane is obviously a lot cheaper than McDuffie, who, upon being traded to the Rams, was given a four-year, $124 million extension, thus making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. Delane is also far cheaper than Jaylen Watson, who joined McDuffie in LA during free agency to the tune of a three-year, $51 million deal. So, if this selection works out in the immediate future, the Chiefs are going to look like absolute geniuses.
Peter Woods, No. 29 overall: 4 years -- $17,975,848
At No. 29 overall, Peter Woods, who may not start right away but should still get significant snaps as a rookie, gets a four-year deal worth $17,975,848.
- 2026: $3,268,336
- 2027: $4,085,420
- 2028: $4,902,504
- 2029: $5,719,588
R Mason Thomas, No. 40 overall: 4 years -- $12,196,910
At No. 40, R Mason Thomas gets a four-year deal worth $12,196,910, and he's in the same boat as Woods, where he may not crack the starting lineup in Week 1 but will still see some solid minutes as the season progresses.
- 2026: $2,217,620
- 2027: $2,772,025
- 2028: $3,326,430
- 2029: $3,880,835
Jadon Canady, No. 109 overall: 4 years -- $5,472,350
Jadon Canady, who's entitled to a four-year deal worth $5,472,350, could quietly be one of the more underrated picks in this draft, as his 87.0 PFF coverage grade ranked 19th among 897 qualifying cornerbacks this past year.
- 2026: $1,191,838
- 2027: $1,311,838
- 2028: $1,426,838
- 2029: $1,541,838
Emmett Johnson, No. 161 overall: 4 years -- $4,730,635
At No. 161 overall, Emmett Johnson would get a four-year contract for $4,730,635 and would likely be RB3 right now behind Kenneth Walker III and Emari Demarcado.
- 2026: $1,006,409
- 2027: $1,126,409
- 2028: $1,241,409
- 2029: $1,356,409
Cyrus Allen, No. 176 overall: 4 years -- $4,624,478
Cyrus Allen, who slides into a four-year contract worth $4,624,478, also seemingly slides into the second slot position on the depth chart behind Tyquan Thornton.
- 2026: $979,870
- 2027: $1,099,870
- 2028: $1,214,870
- 2029: $1,329,870
Garrett Nussmeier, No. 249 overall: 4 years -- $4,365,480
And lastly, we come to Garrett Nussmeier, who one could easily assume has already surpassed Chris Oladukun for the QB3 slot on the depth chart behind Patrick Mahomes and Justin Fields.
- 2026: $915,120
- 2027: $1,035,120
- 2028: $1,150,120
- 2029: $1,265,120
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