Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Chiefs Favorites To Land Top Cornerback After Trent McDuffie Trade

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Will Chesanek | Last updated Apr 9, 2026 3:04 PM ET

Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs are looking to retool during the 2026 NFL offseason. After making the Super Bowl in five of the past six years, the Chiefs entered last season expecting to continue at that pace. Kansas City did anything but that, finishing at 6-11, its worst record since going 2-14 with quarterback Matt Cassel in 2012.

The Chiefs finished No. 3 in the AFC West behind quarterback Bo Nix and the 14-3 Broncos and quarterback Justin Herbert and the 11-6 Los Angeles Chargers. Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL in a week 14 game against the Chargers, sidelining him for the rest of the season. Kansas City ended the season on a six-game losing streak, including losing eight of its last nine matchups.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid with quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15)Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Kansas City has already attempted to retool its roster ahead of next season. In a move that became official on March 11, the Chiefs traded their All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams for the No. 29 pick, a fifth-round pick, and a sixth-round pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft along with a third-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.

Mansoor Delane is a senior cornerback out of LSU who is widely projected to be a first-round pick in this year's draft. Born in Silver Spring, Maryland, he started his career with the Virginia Tech Hokies out of the 2022 recruiting class. He spent three seasons in Blacksburg and earned All-ACC honors in 2024 before entering the transfer portal to attend LSU for his senior season. The 6-foot cornerback had a fantastic 2025 season for the Tigers, recording 11 passes defensed and two interceptions, earning unanimous All-American honors.

Kansas City would be wise to replace McDuffie's production at cornerback, and they have the opportunity to with the No. 9 overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft. NFL Network reporter Rhett Lewis predicts that Reid will do just that, and select cornerback Delane out of LSU with his first-round selection. He excels in press coverage, which would pair well with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's system.

"After trading Trent McDuffie to the Rams in March, the Chiefs find a new core piece in the secondary with the best corner in this year's class." Lewis wrote.

The Chiefs hold a total of nine picks in the upcoming draft, including the No. 9 and No. 29 overall picks in the first round.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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