The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Apr. 29 that they added seven new players during the 2026 National Football League Draft, with several media outlets giving favorable grades to the team’s selections.
The Chiefs selected cornerback Mansoor Delane, defensive tackle Peter Woods, edge rusher Mason Thomas, defensive back Jadon Canady, running back Emmett Johnson, wide receiver Cyrus Allen, and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier over the three-day event. These picks were made to strengthen both offensive and defensive positions on the roster.
Analysts from major sports outlets provided positive feedback about the draft class. Pete Prisco of CBS Sports gave an A+ grade and said: “The Chiefs just crushed the NFL Draft. In doing so, they earned the only A+ grade I am giving out. Let’s just say I loved their draft…With their first three picks, they landed the best cover corner in the draft in Mansoor Delane, a power defensive tackle in Peter Woods, a player I loved, and the captain of my ‘Better-Than Team’ in Oklahoma edge R Mason Thomas. Chiefs’ defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has to be one happy man.” Vinnie Iyer from The Sporting News awarded an A grade and said: “The Chiefs don’t whiff when they pick late in the first round with Andy Reid and Brett Veach…Delane, Woods, Thomas and Canady should thrill Steve Spanguolo with ideal pass defense reinforcements for his scheme. Johnson will be a fantastic new backfield 1-2 punch Kenneth Walker III. Nussmeier was a sneaky good stash at No. 3 behind Patrick Mahomes and Justin Fields to boot.” Rob Rang at FOX Sports also gave an A grade: “This draft was almost all about the Chiefs’ defense…former Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson…will quickly make him a favorite of both Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes and a steal in the fifth round.” Matt Verderame at Sports Illustrated echoed this sentiment with another A: “The Chiefs needed to nail this draft after a 6–11 season and did exactly that…Thomas is a smaller speed rusher who produced 15.5 sacks over the past two years…Johnson…should be a nice change-of-pace back behind Kenneth Walker III.”
Other analysts also praised individual picks or overall strategy by Kansas City during this year’s draft process. Danny Kelly at The Ringer called it “one of the most exciting hauls of any team,” while Chad Reuter at NFL.com said: “Like Isiah Pacheco, Emmett Johnson could be another Day 3 steal for the Chiefs because of his combination of quickness, power and vision.” ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr described Delane as “an instinctive, technically sound cover man who creates turnovers (eight interceptions over four years)” while Pro Football Focus noted Woods as “an explosive athlete at 6-foot-3 and 300-plus pounds who earned PFF grades above 83.0 in each of his first two collegiate seasons.” Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox commented that although some mid-round selections were sacrificed by Kansas City during trades or moves up/down boards: “their roster is much more complete than it was a few days ago.”
While many observers highlighted immediate upgrades on defense through these additions—especially among secondary players—the true impact will become clearer once these rookies take part in regular season games.
