In just eight words, new Kansas City Chiefs CB Mansoor Delane explains why he’s the perfect pick for Steve Spagnuolo’s defense
New Kansas City Chiefs CB Mansoor Delane spoke to media members following his draft selection. It took just eight words for him to sell himself as the perfect pick for Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.
The Kansas City Chiefs shocked the NFL Draft world when they moved up for LSU CB Mansoor Delane. While everyone knew that cornerback was a need after their departures during the offseason, they kept their interest in Delane very much so under wraps.
It didn’t take long for Delane to set the record straight and help people understand why he was the right choice for Kansas City. Sure, he didn’t allow a touchdown or a penalty in 2025. He was also the first unanimous All-American at LSU since Joe Burrow. It was about more than just that.
Asked about his familiarity with former Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie, Delane was complimentary. He didn’t know if he’d be viewed as a 1-to-1 replacement for McDuffie. However, he did know something about his role on the defense, and he said it with his whole chest.
“I can fit in anywhere in Spags’ defense,” Delane said.
Mansoor Delane’s versatility was extremely attractive to Chiefs GM Brett Veach
The Chiefs didn’t just lose their No. 1 option at cornerback when they traded away Trent McDuffie. They lost their top option at nickel corner, not only as a cover man but as a run defender and blitzer, too. He’s not only comfortable being the guy who follows around No. 1 receivers, but also being a do-it-all defensive back for Steve Spagnuolo and Dave Merritt.
“Super comfortable,” Delane said of playing nickel. “You know, I love playing inside. I think it’s almost even more fun. You know, you’re closer to the ball. You know you’re in more run fits. You can blitz more. You know, it’s more responsibility. So I think, to me, the more responsibility, the funner it is. So I’m excited.”
Delane played nearly 2,000 of his snaps at boundary corner during his collegiate career at Virginia Tech and LSU. He also played a combined 379 snaps in the box as a slot, overhang, or even on the d-line. He even has 79 snaps at free safety. He truly can do it all for the defense.
“With Spags’ defense, there’s no better place to do it,” Delane told reporters at the draft. “The way he uses defensive backs. To use my versatility and cerebral game, I just think it’ll be a good fit.”
He’s more than just a cornerback for Kansas City. He’s that versatile chess piece that the defense now lacks. He’s an amoeba that can shift into the shape of whatever the defense needs at any given moment. That’s something that has proven extremely valuable to the Chiefs in the past, and Delane could prove it the case again.
