It is never too early to evaluate impact defensive backs for the 2026 NFL Draft. General manager Jason Licht has consistently invested in length and versatility in the secondary, and Todd Bowles’ defensive system demands cornerbacks who can hold up in man coverage while also playing with awareness in zone rotations. Corners with production, ball skills, and experience against high-level competition are premium assets.
We are working through each position group this cycle. With that in mind, here is our report on LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane.
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Information
Height Weight: 6-0, 190 pounds
Hometown: Silver Spring, Maryland
Previous School: Virginia Tech
Background
Delane arrives at LSU after starting 29 consecutive games at Virginia Tech, where he developed into one of the ACC’s most productive defensive backs. As a junior in 2024, he earned Third-Team All-ACC honors after recording 54 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and four interceptions.
Over three seasons with the Hokies, Delane totaled 146 tackles, 22 passes defended, and six interceptions while consistently matching up against opposing No. 1 receivers. He transitioned to LSU with extensive starting experience and a reputation for competitive toughness.
His football pedigree is notable as well. His younger brother, Faheem Delane, signed with Ohio State as one of the nation’s top safety prospects, underscoring the family’s defensive background.
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Notable Stats
90.5 overall defensive grade
Delane’s 2025 season at LSU stands out for elite coverage grading and continued ball production against SEC competition.
Skills
High-level man coverage ability
Strong ball tracking and timing
Fluid hips and transition quickness
Instinctive route recognition
Competitive at the catch point
Experience in multiple coverage schemes
Delane plays with confidence and controlled aggression. He is comfortable in press situations and shows the footwork to mirror receivers off the line. His 90.7 coverage grade in 2025 reflects disciplined eye control and the ability to limit separation against high-level competition.
He also brings tackling reliability to the perimeter. Delane is not a passive corner; he triggers downhill and finishes plays in space. His background playing safety earlier in his career contributes to his awareness and versatility in coverage assignments.
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Player Summary
Mansoor Delane projects as a top-20 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. His combination of ball production, high-end coverage grading, and multi-year starting experience positions him as one of the premier cornerbacks in this class.
In Tampa Bay, Delane would immediately compete for a starting outside corner role in Todd Bowles’ defense. His ability to play man coverage and hold up on the perimeter would allow Bowles to remain aggressive with blitz packages while trusting Delane to handle one-on-one assignments. He profiles as a potential CB1 at the next level with immediate impact upside.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU