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Mansoor Delane #4 of the LSU Tigers is a Dallas Cowboys draft target.
You would not be alone if you’re a bit disappointed by the Dallas Cowboys‘ efforts in free agency this past week, which saw the team add two big names–pass-rusher Rashan Gary in a trade from the Packers and free-agent safety Jalen Thompson–while also taking some bargain shots on one-year contracts. Most of the new additions were defensive players, as expected, but none were the big-time stars some might have imagined when Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he would “bust the budget” to improve the team.
That leaves the Cowboys in something of an awkward spot. If they don’t sign anyone new, they will need to lean on the draft to not just get young players with future promise, but players who can produce on the field immediately. They need a starting linebacker badly, but they are likely also in the market for a starting-caliber cornerback. Oh, and an edge rusher.
Increasingly, there is a player the Cowboys seem to have interest in, if he is on the board when they make their first pick at No. 12: LSU star cornerback Mansoor Delane.
Cowboys Will Get Another Mansoor Delane Visit
The Cowboys already got an in-person sit-down with Delane at the NFL combine. Now, a post from Ryan Fowler says that the Cowboys are having a Top 30 visit from Delane, too. “Source: The Dallas Cowboys will host LSU DB Mansoor Delane for a 30 visit. One of the premier corners in the class is a potential option at 12,” Fowler wrote on Twitter/X.
Delane had been a starter for two seasons at Virginia Tech but had a breakout season with LSU last year. Pro Football Focus rates him as the No. 9 prospect in this class, and the No. 1 cornerback.
Delane was also recruited to play for the Hokies by Ryan Smith, who is now the Cowboys’ secondary coach. At the combine, Delane said of Smith, “That’s my guy. He recruited me to Virginia Tech but before I got there, he wasn’t able to stay. But maybe we’ll be able to reunite.”
Mansoor Delane ‘One of Top Cornerbacks in a CB-Rich Draft’
Mansoor is the third reported Top 30 visit the Cowboys will host, and the first who is likely to be targeted with the No. 12 pick. Indiana receiver Omar Cooper, who is a fringe first-rounder, has also been reported for a visit, as has Kamari Ramsey, the USC safety.
At NFL.com, scout Lance Zeirlein raved about Delane in his report: “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 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.”
GettyDaRon Bland #26 of the Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys Taking Risks at CB
As for the Cowboys’ needs at cornerback, they currently are shaky at the position, but with potential. Dallas needs DaRon Bland to bounce back and stay healthy for the first time since his All-Pro year in 2023–he’s the most reliable figure in cornerbacks room, but only if he remains on the field.
After that, the Cowboys have been talking up Shavon Revel, who struggled badly as a rookie coming off a torn ACL. The Cowboys are also hoping that Cobie Durant, who started 29 games in the last two seasons for the Rams, will prove to be a big-time bargain signing (he got just one year and $5.5 million after PFF projected him to get three years, $32 million).
The Cowboys are still hopeful that Caelan Carson can be a useful rotation player, while Reddy Steward and Trikweze Bridges are depth pieces.
Sean Deveney is a veteran sports reporter covering the NBA, NFL and MLB for Heavy.com. He has written for Heavy since 2019 and has more than two decades of experience covering the NBA, including 17 years as the lead NBA reporter for the Sporting News. Deveney is the author of 7 nonfiction books, including “Fun City,” “Before Wrigley became Wrigley,” and “Facing Michael Jordan.” More about Sean Deveney
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