Kansas City executed the first trade-up of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday evening, exchanging picks with Cleveland to secure LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane with the sixth overall selection.
The deal saw Kansas City surrender the ninth overall pick along with third-round (74th) and fifth-round (148th) selections to move up three positions. Cleveland used the acquired ninth pick to draft Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano, marking the first lineman selected in the draft.
The move addresses a critical need for Kansas City, which missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014 and recently traded two-time All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to Los Angeles.
Delane became the evening’s first cornerback selected after earning unanimous All-American honors in 2025. During his final season at LSU, he recorded two interceptions, broke up 11 passes, and made 45 tackles across 11 games. The Virginia Tech transfer compiled impressive career totals including eight interceptions, 27 pass breakups, 191 tackles, and seven tackles for loss over four college seasons.
Dallas also made moves on draft night, trading up one spot to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 11. The Cowboys sent picks 12, 177, and 180 to Miami, which immediately selected Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor.
The Cowboys continued their draft-day activity by dealing the 20th pick to division rival Philadelphia in exchange for the 23rd selection and two fourth-round picks (114th and 137th overall).
Philadelphia used their acquired pick to select USC receiver Makai Lemon, who became the third wide receiver drafted despite falling past several teams needing help at the position. Lemon posted 1,156 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns on 79 catches during his junior season with the Trojans. He joins DeVonta Smith on a Philadelphia roster amid widespread speculation that disgruntled star A.J. Brown will be traded to New England after June 1.
With their original pick at 23, Dallas selected UCF defensive lineman Malachi Lawrence, who recorded 20 sacks, 28 tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles during his 39-game college career.
