The 2026 NFL Draft is in its final moments, with the closing rounds taking place as the league prepares to welcome a new class of 257 players. For these athletes, hearing their names called is the culmination of a lifelong dream. Leading this year’s historic charge was National Champion quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who was selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders, followed by elite edge rusher David Bailey to the Jets.
Perhaps the biggest shock of the opening round was Jeremiyah Love, who went third overall to the Cardinals. Love’s rookie contract is set at a staggering $50.5 million fully guaranteed, officially making him the highest-paid running back in the NFL before he has even logged a single professional snap. However, while the top of the draft was about new beginnings, the Kansas City Chiefs used their picks to signal the potential end of an era.
Aggressive Moves in the First Round: The Chiefs’ Secondary Makeover
The first round was a certified rollercoaster, with seven teams, including the Jets, Giants, Cowboys, and Chiefs, securing multiple selections. Among these, the Kansas City Chiefs were the most aggressive in their pursuit of an immediate turnaround. After a disappointing 2025 campaign that snapped their league-leading streak of 10 consecutive playoff appearances, the front office wasted no time.
The Chiefs moved up from pick nine to six in a trade with the Browns to select CB Mansoor Delane out of LSU. This move was a direct response to a secondary that was gutted in the offseason by the departures of Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. By moving into the top 10, Kansas City signaled that they are no longer content with “retooling”-they are in a full-blown sprint to regain their dominance in the AFC.
The Peter Woods Selection: Planning for Life After Chris Jones?
While the move for Delane addressed the perimeter, it was the Chiefs’ second first-round pick at No. 29 that sent shockwaves through the defensive room. By selecting defensive tackle Peter Woods, Kansas City has effectively put a clock on the future of Chris Jones.
Jones, who remains the undisputed leader of the defense and one of the four pillars of the Chiefs’ dynasty alongside Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Harrison Butker, is facing the reality of the “business” side of the NFL.
Set to turn 32 this July, Jones is entering the back end of his career. While he remains elite, currently sitting at 87.5 career sacks and trailing only Tamba Hali (89.5) and Derrick Thomas (126.5) in franchise history, the selection of Woods suggests the team is preparing for a transition. Jones is currently in the third year of a massive five-year, $158.75 million contract extension.
According to Over The Cap, a move next offseason is becoming increasingly feasible. If the Chiefs were to release or trade Jones before June 1, 2027, they would save $18.6 million against the salary cap while taking a $19.5 million dead money hit. For a team that needs to stay flexible to keep Mahomes surrounded by talent, Woods isn’t just another draft pick; he is a $158 million insurance policy and the likely successor to a future Hall of Famer.
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