TribLive is highlighting the top prospects leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. The three-day event is April 23-25.
Mansoor Delane
Position: Cornerback
Height/weight: 6-foot/187 pounds
College: LSU
Delane is the most-polished of the first-round cornerbacks after playing 44 games over four years.
The 22-year-old was named a unanimous All-American last year in his one season in Baton Rouge after transferring from Virginia Tech. Known for excelling at press coverage, Delane had 45 tackles, two interceptions and 11 pass breakups as a senior.
Pro Football Focus named Delane as the cornerback prospect best at man coverage, thanks to “confidence in his hips and footwork as he mirrors routes without getting tangled up.” He was targeted 14 times in 138 man-coverage snaps last season, according to PFF stats.
He ran an unofficial 4.38-second time in the 40-yard dash at the LSU pro day.
Delane had eight career interceptions and nabbed four as a junior at Virginia Tech. He also had 54 tackles and 11 pass breakups to earn third-team All-ACC in 2024.
Draft analyst Lance Zierlein said in his NFL.com profile that “Delane’s emergence over the past two years might be indicative of what’s to come, as he’s shown lockdown potential.”
Key stat
0 – Touchdowns given up by Delane on 357 pass-coverage snaps last season. The longest reception he allowed was 29 yards.
Did you know?
Delane was one of 13 unanimous All-Americans in 2025. To be considered unanimous, a player must receive first-team recognition from the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, Football Writers Association of America, Sporting News and Walter Camp Football Foundation.
On draft
Here is a look at where the top NFL Draft analysts rank Delane among players at his position and prospects overall:
Draft expert — CB/Overall
Mel Kiper Jr. — second/17th
Daniel Jeremiah — first/eighth
Todd McShay — first/ninth
Field Yates — second/16th
Quotable
“Why I’m the best corner in the class? Put the film on.”
— Delane to reporters at the NFL Combine