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NFL.com Draft Profile

Overview

Delane is one of the top cornerbacks in a CB-rich draft. He excels in press coverage, altering release timing with punches and slides. Smooth hips and efficient footwork keep him connected in man coverage, while his processing allows for quick transitions in off-man and short zone looks. He has good top-end speed for vertical phasing but is inconsistent turning to find the football. While he locks in on the route at times, he’s rarely oblivious to the quarterback’s actions, allowing him to slam catch windows shut and play the football. He played through a core muscle injury for much of the 2025 season and still performed at an elite level. Delane’s emergence over the past two years might be indicative of what’s to come, as he’s shown lockdown potential.

Strengths

• Loose-limbed, highly athletic and efficient in his movements.
• Throws jabs and slides feet to cut off release from press.
• Gets hands on the route quickly and flows tightly to the route.
• Anticipates breaks from off coverage and pounces to erase separation space.
• Tracks quarterback without losing route awareness in zone coverage.
• Makes sharp overlaps to play the throw from deep zone drops.
• Smothers the catch point like a dominant shot blocker.
• Full-contact thumper ready to jar the ball loose.
• Engulfs and wraps up pass-catchers to quickly end the play.

Weaknesses

• Plays tall in space, limiting transition quickness at times.
• Can be baited by clever route combinations in deep zone.
• Aggressive hand usage to redirect, which will bring flags.
• Needs to become more consistent in locating deep throws.
• Can be tardy breaking down as an open-field tackler.

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Draft Profile: Bio

After cutting his teeth at Virginia Tech for three seasons where he started 29 consecutive games, Mansoor Delane made the calculated decision to bet on himself and transfer to LSU for his final collegiate campaign. This wasn’t just another player looking for NIL money – this was a future pro meticulously plotting his path to Sundays. Despite being projected as a mid-round selection had he declared for the 2025 draft, Delane recognized the value in joining “DBU” under secondary guru Corey Raymond‘s tutelage.

Delane’s baptism by fire came as a freshman against North Carolina, where on his very first collegiate snap, he knifed through blockers to stuff a run for a loss. Two plays, two tackles – against future Patriots starter Drake Maye no less – and the teenager was off to the races. His production steadily climbed from there, culminating in a Third-Team All-ACC nod in 2024 after snagging four interceptions and breaking up 11 passes. The Virginia Tech coaching staff trusted him implicitly, deploying him across 1,826 defensive snaps during his Hokie tenure and leaning on his versatility to play multiple positions in the secondary.

The decision to join LSU’s loaded defensive backfield speaks volumes about Delane’s mindset. Rather than running from competition, he embraced it, understanding that daily battles against the Tigers’ NFL-caliber receiving corps and Heisman candidate QB Garrett Nussmeier would sharpen his skills. His cerebral approach has allowed him to cross-train at corner, nickel, and safety during spring practices, developing the scheme versatility that NFL front offices covet. With an impressive blend of production (146 tackles, 7.0 TFLs, 22 passes defended, and 6 interceptions over three seasons) and physical tools, Delane is positioning himself to rise up draft boards come April 2026.

Scouting Report: Strengths

• Processed spatial relationships at an elite level, showing rare ability to anticipate route combinations before they materialize – was routinely a step ahead in zone assignments.
• Changes direction like his cleats are on swivels – shows exceptional fluidity when flipping his hips and exploding out of his pedal without gathering steps.
• Brings cornerback quickness with a safety’s mentality against the run – will trigger downhill with conviction and wrap tackle through the thighs with surprising pop.
• Plays with controlled aggression at the catch point, displaying veteran timing when attacking the receiver’s hands without drawing flags.
• Demonstrates remarkable mental processing speed – diagnoses screens and misdirection plays almost instantly, rarely takes false steps against window dressing.
• Brings valuable position versatility having cross-trained at boundary corner, nickel, and deep safety – possesses football intelligence to handle multiple roles.
• Shows natural instincts reading quarterbacks’ intentions in zone coverage – consistently baits throws and jumps passing lanes with calculated timing.
• Brings legitimate scheme versatility – thrived in both Virginia Tech’s zone-heavy system and LSU’s more man-oriented approach without missing a beat.

Scouting Report: Weaknesses

• Frame is on the slender side at 187 pounds – can get bodied by bigger receivers at the break point who use their mass to create separation in tight quarters.
• Shows occasional over-aggression jumping underneath routes – savvy NFL quarterbacks will manipulate his eyes with pump fakes and double moves.
• Tendency to peek in the backfield can lead to losing track of assignments when playing man coverage – needs to trust his technique more consistently.
• While competitive at the catch point, lacks the elite length to consistently disrupt passing windows against taller boundary receivers in contested situations.
• Deep speed is adequate but not special – could struggle to recover against NFL burners who threaten his cushion with legitimate vertical push.

Scouting Report: Summary

When the tape stops rolling on Mansoor Delane, you’re left with a study in contrasts. The instincts leap off the screen – he processes route combinations with veteran savvy and rarely makes the same mistake twice. Yet that same cerebral approach occasionally becomes his undoing, as he’ll overthink situations and get caught flat-footed against misdirection. His fluidity in space allows him to mirror receivers through their breaks, though bigger-bodied targets expose his lean frame and functional strength limitations in contested situations.

The modern NFL demands defensive backs who can wear multiple hats, and Delane’s cross-training at corner, nickel, and safety positions him to thrive in that environment. His zone instincts and pattern-matching skills suggest immediate contribution potential in sub-packages, where his diagnostic ability shines brightest. However, he’ll need continued physical development to hold up against the weekly pounding at the next level. While he’s shown admirable toughness as a tackler despite his size limitations, the question remains whether that approach can withstand the punishment of covering tight ends and bigger slot receivers at the NFL level.

Delane’s ceiling will ultimately be determined by how effectively he addresses his physical limitations while maintaining the technical precision that makes him special. He brings enough versatility to find a home in virtually any defensive system, but his frame may dictate where he lines up most frequently. The LSU transplant won’t wow anyone stepping off the bus, but his football acumen and competitive temperament will endear him to coaching staffs looking for a reliable defensive back who can execute complex assignments.