NFL teams looking for a No. 1 cornerback in the 2026 NFL Draft should look no further than LSU’s Mansoor Delane.
At 6-foot-0, 190 pounds, Delane flourished in 2025 as one of the nation’s top cornerbacks. During the 2025 season, he recorded45 tackles, 11 pass breakups and 2 interceptions over 11 games with LSU. He also scored a PFF coverage grade of 90.9 which put him in the elite category, which he proved in his lone season at LSU after transferring from Virginia Tech.
Although he can be a bit overaggressive, what NFL scouts and NFL defensive coordinators will love about Delane is his coverage versatility, his instincts and ball skills and he is a cornerback who is not afraid to come up in the box and provide run support. As far as the draft goes, he should be a guaranteed top 15 pick and one of the first, if not the first, cornerbacks off the board.
Mansoor Delane is a “matchup” cornerback with scheme flexibility
In his 2026 Big Board, ESPN’s Matt Miller has Delane ranked in the top 10 overall and the top cornerback in the draft. He sees him as the best matchup cornerback in the draft, a player who can adjust within any scheme he plays in.
Miller writes:
“Delane starred at Virginia Tech for three seasons before transferring to LSU, where he has emerged as the nation's best cornerback. He doesn't have elite length but simply makes plays, with two interceptions and only 10 catches allowed this season. Delane's fluid movement, vision and quickness are a fantastic combination, and his recovery ability allows him to be a matchup cornerback in pretty much any scheme.”
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While Delane won’t jump off the chart as far as overall athleticism and speed, his length and scheme versatility makes him a high target for any team looking for a corner with shutdown ability.
Here are 3 NFL fits for Mansoor Delane in the 2026 NFL Draft.
3 NFL teams in position to land Mansoor Delane
Los Angeles Rams
With two first round picks, with the first being a likely top 10 pick from the Atlanta Falcons, the Los Angeles Rams will have two opportunities to take care of their biggest needs. One of those big needs will be upgrading their secondary at both cornerback and safety. At cornerback, they will be looking for a young, player with shutdown ability like a Mansoor Delane who an opportunity would have to shine on a playoff team. His ball skills and savviness could help transform a secondary that would complement the front seven the Rams have put together via the draft.
Other first round options for the Rams: Spencer Fano (OT), Jermod McCoy (CB), Caleb Downs (S)
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are a prime destination for a cornerback like Mansoor Delane. After trading Jalen Ramsey in the offseason, the Dolphins were a team many thoughts were locked in to draft a corner high in the 2025 NFL draft. They didn’t go that route and instead depended on veterans like Rasul Douglas and Jack Jones to fill the void. With both of those corners headed into free agency, the Dolphins should use their top pic on a corner. Delane gives them both the talent and technique to build around.
Other first round options for the Dolphins: Jermod McCoy (CB), Caleb Downs (S), Makai Lemon (WR)
Minnesota Vikings
Like the Dolphins, the Minnesota Vikings are a team that could lose a top cornerback to free agency (Jeff Okudah). As a team that was already thin at the position throughout the 2025 NFL season, the need for a lockdown-type corner (CB1) will be high on the list come 2026 NFL Draft time. Given where they will be drafting, Delane should be available if teams like the Dolphins and Rams pass him up. If they do, the Vikings should rejoice because Delane is the type of talent they can bolster their secondary around.
Other first round options for the Vikings: Caleb Downs (S), Jeremiyah Love (RB), Jermod McCoy (CB)