Mansoor

Delane

Sporting a full-contact jersey and shoulder pads for the first time in training camp, Delane appears set to be a full-go for the Chiefs. The first-round rookie had been recovering from a shoulder injury he suffered earlier this offseason and was practicing on a limited basis in camp after avoiding the PUP list. With roughly three weeks to go before the start of the season, Delane appears to be on track to play in Week 1 against the Broncos.

Delane suffered a shoulder injury this offseason at OTAs and was sporting a non-contact jersey at the Chiefs’ first training camp. The No. 6 overall pick in this year’s draft said things are “getting better every day” and has spent most of his time in the playbook and conditioning. The fact he didn’t open camp on the PUP list suggests this is a relatively minor injury for Delane, who is expected to provide an immediate boost to a new-look secondary that last starting corners Trent McDuffie (trade) and Jaylen Watson (free agency) to the Rams this offseason.

The Chiefs now have both of their 2026 first-rounders under contract after signing DT Peter Woods just hours before announcing Delane’s deal. Delane spent four seasons in college and closed out his career at LSU after transferring from Virginia Tech. He joins a secondary that was dealt two key losses this offseason in Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, and projects as the Chiefs’ top corner to start the season. Last season, Delane earned a PFF coverage grade of 90.7 and allowed just 14 receptions for 165 scoreless yards on 35 targets.

The Chiefs gave up pick No. 74 and 148 to move up. A three-time All-ACC performer at Virginia Tech, Mansoor Delane (6’0/190) put together a sensational 2025 season as LSU’s top cover corner, earning elite PFF marks with a 90.7 overall grade and 91.0 coverage grade to go with a 74.4 run-defense and 76.4 tackling grades. Over 339 coverage snaps, he was targeted only about one in every ten snaps, giving up just 10 completions on 36 attempts for 119 yards with zero touchdowns allowed, recording two interceptions, 11 pass breakups and a microscopic 3.9 QBR. He choked off big plays on the perimeter, allowing only a single completion of 20+ yards, just 3.3 yards per target and 0.35 yards per coverage snap, numbers that sit firmly in shutdown-corner territory. In run support, he added 35 tackles (20 solo) with an 83.3% tackle rate and 13 total havoc plays, showing he was more than just a cover specialist. The consensus All-American is instinctive, fluid and a relentless ball hawk who stands to parlay a standout four-year collegiate career into NFL gridiron success. After trading away Trent McDuffie and letting fellow corner Jaylen Watson walk, the Chiefs had to address this position. Delane will be tasked with CB1 duties right away.

Harris isn’t the only reporter who believes that the Cowboys are still on the hunt for new defenders. In a report from earlier today, ESPN’s Todd Archer mentions Brooks and Al-Shaair as well, while also bringing up Steelers LB Patrick Queen as a possibility. Harris disagrees on the latter player, saying on social media that the Cowboys have “pivoted off Queen,” though he believes the inside linebacker position “gets addressed in the trade market.” In a mock draft published today, Harris links LSU CB Mansoor Delane to the Cowboys at pick No. 12 and Clemson EDGE T.J. Parker at pick No. 20. Brooks totaled 125 solo tackles and 19 TFLs. Al-Shaair totaled 74 solo tackles and five TFLs. Stay tuned.

Keim lists the team’s No. 2 need as “a cornerback with length.” Delane stands 6'/187. His arms measured 30" at the NFL Scouting Combine. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn spent the 2010, 2013 and 2014 seasons with the Seahawks under former head coach Pete Carroll, who eagerly drafted cornerbacks standing at least 6' with arms measuring at least 32". We have no way of knowing if Quinn values arm length like Carroll used to, but Delane is generating first-round buzz. The Commanders signed former Lions CB Amik Robertson in free agency. He is expected to man the slot. CBs Trey Amos and Mike Sainristil are currently expected to start on the perimeter. Drafting Delane in the first round could mean he is allowed to compete for a starting role on the outside.