Chiefs named big winners of NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Kansas City Chiefs entered the NFL Draft knowing that defense had to be the only item on the menu in the first-round, and general manager Brett Veach understood the assignment.
The Chiefs traded up to No. 6 to take LSU corner Mansoor Delane, and then at No. 29, took defensive tackle Peter Woods. Two players that the Chiefs will likely see as starters for Steve Spagnuolo.
They also drafted edge R Mason Thomas, who will fit into the pass rush rotation as well, so the Chiefs certainly bolstered the defense.
And in Eric Edholm's post-draft power rankings, he has the Chiefs moving up a whopping six spots, to No. 8.
"I can probably nitpick some of what Kansas City did in the draft, but I feel pretty good about its first three picks contributing early," Edholm wrote. "CB Mansoor Delane made sense and probably will start. DT Peter Woods and edge R Mason Thomas will be in the pass-rush rotation soon, too. The Chiefs didn't draft an offensive tackle, and they waited until late to take a receiver.
"This was all about the defense getting better, and I'm OK with the approach."
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The Chiefs knew they needed help at corner after Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson moved on in free agency, hence the Delane selection, who most think was the best corner in the draft.
As for Woods, the Chiefs needed more beef in the middle of the defense, and he certainly helped, along with getting after the quarterback.
So, the Chiefs did some nice work with their two first-round selections, and in truth, they needed to.
Now, as we turn to the offseason program, the Chiefs, on paper at least, look to be in good order ahead of 2026.
Now we just have to wait for No. 15 to return to bring it all together.
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