Chiefs, Cowboys have same position need in 2026 NFL Draft 1st round

The Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys have at least one overlapping positional need in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The good news for them: They both have two picks to try and make it happen.

The Chiefs pick at No. 9 and No. 29.

The Cowboys select at No. 12 and then again at No. 20.

And ESPN's Matt Bowen could see them both ending up with a cornerback to bolster their respective secondary.

Bowen listed his favorite fits for various teams in a new article on Tuesday, and for both the Chiefs and Cowboys, he chose a cornerback.

He sees Kansas City aligning at No. 9 with LSU's Mansoor Delane.

"The Chiefs have some spots to fill at cornerback after trading Trent McDuffie and losing Jaylen Watson to the Rams," Bowen writes. "So, let's give them Delane, who has the traits to fit in coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's system. Kansas City played man coverage on 52.3% of opponent dropbacks in 2025, the fourth-highest rate in the league. Delane would thrive in those coverages (mainly Cover 1, Cover 0 and Cover 2 Man) as a press corner with the speed to match vertically. Plus, he can jam and sink in Cover 2. This is an easy fit for who I think is the top cornerback in the class."

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Bowen then has the Cowboys waiting to take their CB until No. 20 -- and he likes the possibility of Colton Hood out of Tennessee.

"Cornerbacks with Hood's skill set in coverage tend to go higher than projected," Bowen writes. "And I like the fit under new coordinator Chris Parker, who will bring elements of Vic Fangio's defense from Philadelphia. Here, Hood can match up one-on-one outside, playing opposite free agent addition Cobie Durant with DaRon Bland in the slot. Plus, Hood is a dedicated run defender who knows how to cut off big gains on the perimeter. He is more of a ball disruptor than true playmaker, posting 17 pass breakups over the past two seasons. Parker and the Cowboys can land their Quinyon Mitchell in Hood."

Cornerback is one of the most important positions in the modern NFL.

If the Chiefs and Cowboys both get a good one in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, that'll go down as a success for Kansas City and Dallas.

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