Chiefs coaches and NBC's Collinsworth single out rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Chiefs rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane, the No. 6 overall pick, drew praise from his coaches and NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth.
The 5-0 Chiefs' defense ranks second in points allowed, so the rookie's growth matters.
Background
Mansoor Delane is a 22-year-old Kansas City Chiefs rookie cornerback, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft out of LSU. His coaches are talking about him now because the Chiefs let both Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson go in the offseason — a move many saw as a risk — and Delane and second-year corner Nohl Williams have taken their spots. The Chiefs are 5-0 and their defense is second in the NFL in points allowed per game (16.6).
How it unfolded
- date unknownThe Chiefs selected Delane sixth overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.
- date unknownDelane intercepted a pass on the third play of the season-opening win over the Denver Broncos, landed on his right shoulder and missed the rest of that game and the next one against the Colts; he has played the last three weeks.
- date unknownThe Chiefs beat the Los Angeles Chargers 22-6 in Week 6 at Arrowhead Stadium.
- Oct 22, 2026Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt praised Delane's physicality, saying "He had that in His DNA," and said the rookie is "trending to be where we want him to be."
- Oct 22, 2026NBC Sports analyst Cris Collinsworth called Delane "the most important guy" on the Chiefs defense on the PFF NFL Show.
- Oct 23, 2026PFF previewed the Week 7 matchup of Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba against Delane.
- Oct 24, 2026Chiefs Wire published Merritt's comments on Delane's development, and mic'd-up comments of Delane praising teammate Travis Kelce were reported.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Defensive backs coach Dave Merritt said Delane's physicality is in his DNA and that "there's nothing wrong with his legs. It's all between the ears," adding the rookie is getting better.
- Official
- Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said Delane is "on a progression upward" but "I would like more" out of him, noting one play against the Raiders where he let the ball get outside.
- Analysts
- NBC Sports analyst Cris Collinsworth called Delane "the most important guy on the defense in my opinion long term."
Still unverified
Sources give differing stat lines for Delane: 22 total tackles, one interception and three passes defensed in essentially three games; 15 total tackles, one interception and two passes defended through four games; and 15 solo tackles with three pass deflections.