(Editor's Note: While the start of the 2026 NFL Draft isn't until late April, it's never too early to profile some of the key participants. The staff of DallasCowboys.com intends to preview the landscape of the draft's top prospects, with an emphasis on possible Cowboys draft picks – from the first round to the last. Today's featured player is LSU CB Mansoor Delan.)
- Name: Mansoor Delane
- Position: Cornerback
- College: LSU
- Height/Weight: 6'0", 187
- Did You Know? Delane began his collegiate career at Virginia Tech, and was recruited to play for the Hokies by current Cowboys secondary coach Ryan Smith, who was cornerbacks coach and defensive passing game coordinator at the time. While Smith convinced Delane to commit to Virgina Tech, he would never get to coach him, as Smith took the CBs coach job at Northwestern in 2022, which was Delane's freshman season.
Where He's Projected:
Delane is considered by many to be the first cornerback taken off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft, and mock drafts have him as high as a top five pick and usually within a top-10 selection. Some popular landing spots in mock drafts for Delane have been in the three picks ahead of Dallas at 12 (Chiefs at nine, Bengals at 10 and Dolphins at 11), but he could also go earlier. If the Cowboys have Delane high on their board, they may need to jump a team to get him or hope those organizations look to fill another need on the roster.
How He Helps the Cowboys:
The Cowboys have made several additions at corner this offseason in guys like Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick, along with having Shavon Revel and Daron Bland returning, but Delane would come in and likely earn a starting role immediately with the potential to become one of if not the best corner on the roster quickly. Delane can take away an opposing team's best receiver with his man-to-man coverage ability and knack for attacking the ball when it's in his vicinity. He may not have the taller, longer armed frame that Dallas has valued at the position in years past, but the tape from 2025 at LSU shows an impact player with the speed to run alongside quicker receivers downfield. With new defensive coordinator Christian Parker's track record of developing first-round talents at the position into All-Pro caliber players, Delane could be the next in line under Parker's teaching.
Final Thoughts:
Going into the offseason, the Cowboys' cornerback room was one that had a lot of questions and need some restructuring, as well as healing. If Delane ends up being added to the mix, the Cowboys would have a comfortable amount of options on the outside in Delane, Bland, Durant and Revel as well as depth players like Caelan Carson and Trikwese Bridges. At nickel, the Cowboys will have their fair share of options too and can move some players on the roster into the slot if need be. All of the sudden, the secondary could begin to look like a strength for Dallas with the addition of a player like Delane. There are some ifs with that, as the health of Bland and Revel will be a big question, but both have a full offseason ahead to recover and return to full health for the 2026 season.
