Brett Veach: We knew Mansoor Delane was our guy weeks ago
NBC Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- The Kansas City Chiefs traded up from the No. 9 to the No. 6 overall pick in the NFL Draft to select cornerback Mansoor Delane, a move that surprised some but was planned well in advance by the team.
- General Manager Brett Veach revealed the Chiefs had targeted Delane for weeks and deliberately kept their interest quiet, even opting for a virtual meeting instead of an in-person visit to maintain secrecy.
- The Chiefs viewed Delane as the top cornerback in the draft and were motivated to move up due to anticipated competition from the New Orleans Saints, who have experienced cornerback losses recently.
- Veach praised Delane’s athleticism, ball skills, tackling ability, and versatility to play both inside and outside cornerback, highlighting that he ran a 4.3-second 40-yard dash and is a complete player at a premium position.
- The trade involved giving up a third- and fifth-round pick to move up, a strategy the Chiefs had used previously to secure top cornerbacks, reflecting the value they place on elite defensive backs.
