Chiefs' Draft Dilemma: Offense or Defense to Save Their 2026 Season?
Andy Reid is utilizing the offseason to rework his roster after a disappointing 2025 campaign with the Kansas City Chiefs. If the first time since 2014 that they failed to qualify for the playoffs. Furthermore, quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL injury and continues to recover from it.
With the 2026 NFL draft closing in, all eyes will be on Reid and his team and their plans this year. Several experts and analysts project them to bolster the offense with their first round (No. 9) pick by either drafting Carnell Tate or Makai Lemon.
However, according to NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah, the Chiefs might ditch this plan and go in a completely different direction. In his final mock draft, he predicted Andy Reid and his team to either draft cornerback Mansoon Delane or defensive end Rueben Bain Jr.
"It feels like the Chiefs will be deciding between a pass rusher (Rueben Bain Jr.) and a cornerback here. They decide to go with the top cover man in the draft after losing multiple starters in the offseason," Jeremiah wrote.
Mansoor Delane began his collegiate journey with Virginia Tech back in 2022. The 6'0", 190 lbs cornerback spent three seasons with them and recorded 146 tackles, seven tackles for loss and six interceptions.
Last season, Delane entered the transfer portal and joined the LSU Tigers. In 11 games, he recorded 45 tackles and two interceptions while his team finished with a 7-6 record and a Texas Bowl loss to Houston.
On the other hand, Rueben Bain Jr. spent his entire collegiate career with the Miami Hurricanes. He played in 38 games and recorded 121 tackles, 20.5 sacks and 33.5 tackles for loss.
"I am told, again, on really good authority, Andy Reid is hell-bent, ... on figuring out this offensive line and protecting a quarterback who is the epicenter of everything that is success at Kansas City Chiefs who's coming out of an injury," analyst Todd McShay said.
The Chiefs currently hold the No. 9 and the No. 29 picks in the first round of the draft. They have nine total picks this year.
The 2026 NFL draft takes place in Pittsburgh and kicks off on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.
