Ex-LSU Star Mansoor Delane Secures First Chiefs Interception On First NFL Drive

It was an even quicker great start to the NFL career of former LSU Tigers star Mansoor Delane, and he was a standout from the moment he stepped on the field in Baton Rouge.

Drafted sixth overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in this past draft, Delane is going to be counted on to do big things for his pro club. The team is going to rely on him as a starter right away.

The 22-year-old picked up his first career interception on his first drive, just three plays in. Pressure from the line forced a poor throw that Delane played perfectly and ended up with the pick.

This play did end up being a bit of a double-edged sword, though, as he ended up re-injuring a lingering right shoulder issue from camp on both the initial landing and then was slammed down into it on the tackle from Courtland Sutton.

Delane had to go back to the locker room after the play and, as of the time of writing, had not returned to the game after being considered questionable. Given that he is a very important piece to their secondary this year, they aren't likely to take many chances.

The cornerback also ended up with an interception in his first game for the Tigers, as well. He ended up with just two all season long, but that's mostly because quarterbacks almost never tested him. Once NFL quarterbacks give him that respect, his turnover rate will certainly tick down.

Defensive backs don't always have to force interceptions to make an impact, though. No one will complain about his time with LSU because he didn't have more picks. He had one of the single-best individual seasons from a corner that the school has ever seen, and that is saying something given their history.

Over his entire first year in Baton Rouge, he was targeted just 35 times and allowed 14 catches, per Pro Football Focus. Seven of those incompletions were forced by Delane. He played 14 snaps in the preseason and wasn't targeted once. So he is one-for-one on forcing turnovers on targets at the next level. 

Delane ended up being the first defensive back taken in the draft, over Caleb Downs. It was a surprise to some, but also a little bit of a make-up for the Thorpe Award decision. He should have a long and effective NFL career with the Chiefs.