Revisiting the players the Chiefs passed on to draft Mansoor Delane

We are heading into Week 4 of the NFL season, and the 2026 NFL Draft happened almost six months ago. Kansas City Chiefs fans have all but moved on from the offseason after the team's electric 3-0 start to the year, but how the team should manage the 2026 draft was heavily debated.

The Chiefs had the highest pick they had held since drafting Eric Fisher first overall (2013) and finished with their worst record in over a decade. Brett Veach and the Chiefs' front office knew they needed a strong offseason to bounce back, and it all started with the draft.

There was a lot of discourse over who the Chiefs should take in the draft, especially with their two first-round picks, one of which was acquired after trading superstar corner Trent McDuffie. Many names were thrown around, and rumors were flying left and right while Chiefs fans tried to narrow down who the team wanted.

So, how are some of these players who were rumored to the Chiefs performing, and did the Chiefs make the right decision with Mansoor Delane?

Caleb Downs, safety

Heading into the draft, Downs was my favorite target for the Chiefs and the number one player on my NFL draft board. My concern about Downs was always that he played a less valuable position at safety, but I evaluated him as the best safety prospect I had ever watched. After the draft, most reports suggested that the Chiefs would have selected Downs or Bain if they elected to stick and pick at 9.

Downs slipped in the draft and landed with the Cowboys, where he has been off to a great start in his NFL career. While he hasn't filled the stat sheet, Downs has played like a top-five rookie and looks like one of the NFL's most valuable safeties. It is still early, but Downs seems on track for a long, successful NFL career.

Rueben Bain Jr, defensive end

Maybe the biggest fan favorite for the Chiefs, Bain was a popular option after his dominant 2025 season with Miami. The Chiefs had a clear need on the edge, and Bain projected as the top pick, with the only major knock being his arm length. So far, Bain has struggled, especially as a pass rusher, and has been contained off the edge. He has shown some flashes, and the production will come, but in this early stretch of Bain's career, his struggles have been apparent.

Offensive Tackles

I have grouped all offensive tackles together, as this was a major rumor for the Chiefs before the draft. Scouts heard rumors all offseason that the Chiefs wanted to add an offensive tackle, and several names were linked to the team in the offseason. Francis Mauigoa and Kadyn Proctor have moved to guard, and Spencer Fano has had a strong start with the Browns.

Tackle has become a major question mark for the Chiefs as Josh Simmons has been unavailable, but UDFA pickup Kahlil Benson has been arguably the best rookie OT in the league. Regardless of how you view the Chiefs' offseason process, offensive tackle has seemed to work itself out in the early part of 2026.

Wide Receivers

Once again, I have grouped receivers together, with the top names in the bunch being Jordan Tyson, Makai Lemon, and Omar Cooper Jr. It is still early, but the Chiefs seem to have dodged a bullet when it comes to the WR class. Tyson's injury issues have followed him from college, and both Lemon and Cooper have struggled to find consistent playing time. Wide receiver is still a major need for Kansas City, but it seems they made the right choice staying away from the 2026 group early in the draft.

How does Mansoor Delane compare?

The Chiefs' decision to trade up for Mansoor Delane drew mixed reviews, especially after the team moved on from Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. But while it is still early, the Chiefs seem to have made a great decision. Kansas City likely wouldn't have landed Delane at 9, and the trade-up was necessary to get the top corner in the class.

Delane has struggled with a nagging shoulder issue through camp and early in the season, but when he has been on the field for the Chiefs, he has been as advertised. In man coverage, Delane struggled at times against the Dolphins, especially against Chris Bell, but overall, he has looked like one of the league's best rookies.

In my opinion, Downs would have been the ideal selection for the Chiefs, who still seem to have a somewhat thin safety room. But corner is a more valuable position, and when Delane has been on the field, his impact has been immense. It is still early, but so far the Chiefs look like they made a good decision with their 2026 first-round pick.

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