What Chiefs Rookie Mansoor Delane Showed In First Preseason Start

BusinessSportsMoneyWhat Chiefs Rookie Mansoor Delane Showed In First Preseason StartByJeff Fedotin,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Jeff Fedotin covers the Kansas City Chiefs and sports business.Follow AuthorAug 23, 2026, 10:00am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.SummaryKansas City's highly-touted 2026 sixth-overall pick, cornerback Mansoor Delane, finally debuted in the second preseason game against the Buccaneers after a shoulder injury sidelined him. Delane, whom the Chiefs traded up to select, started and played three defensive series. While he recorded no tackles or pass deflections, he showed composure by not retaliating after a helmet smack, drawing a crucial penalty. He did miss a tackle, possibly due to rust from limited contact practice. The Chiefs need Delane's physicality and versatility after losing key cornerbacks. Other defensive standouts included Jaden Hicks forcing a fumble and Felix Anudike-Uzomah recording a sack, as the Chiefs' first-half defense impressed before a 16-15 loss.Show More Cornerback Mansoor Delane of the Kansas City Chiefs sits on the team bench during the fourth quarter of the first preseason game. He would get his first action the following week. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)Getty ImagesThe Kansas City Chiefs obviously had lofty expectations for the cornerback they selected sixth overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.But Mansoor Delane, who the Chiefs traded up to select, was limited for much of training camp with a shoulder injury and missed the first preseason game.“It’s unfortunate that he’s missed all the time,” Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. “I’m anxious to get him out there and see what we’ve got.”Well, Spagnuolo and the rest of the Chiefs staff got a chance to see Delane under the bright lights when the Chiefs played the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday n...