Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Mansoor Delane, like many of the top prospects in this class, isn’t flawless. But he did have a damn-near flawless season at LSU — a school that’s produced a good cornerback or two. The Los Angeles Rams doubled up on defensive line talent in 2024 and that worked out swimmingly, so they get another elite CB via 2026’s first-round pick. (The Cowboys’ general manager took some time to pick. As is with most things Dallas, their selection was the bane of my existence.)
Delane transferred from Virginia Tech, after three seasons with the Hokies. Being a 4-star prospect in the portal, Mansoor made sure to never relinquish the CB1 title for the draft. Really seized his opportunity. Watch his first game at LSU (vs. Clemson). One will see he sticks to the wide receiver’s hips like glue when in man. And is almost always in the correct position when playing zone. A wire-to-wire elite CB season from LSU usually gets a prospect in the top-5 conversation. Especially when they run in the mid-high 4.3s. (Short arms, I know.)
Alas, here he was for the taking at 13. I truly thought I’d be selecting Monroe Freeling, Makai Lemon or a freak like Kenyon Sadiq (rhyme!). That being said, the Rams really don’t have many holes throughout their roster. Assuming Puka Nacua matures and understands the consequences of his actions, their offense is going to be dynamic. Both their bookends and guards on the OL are young and signed long-term. (If this were real life, I’d expect a slight trade up or back from the LAR.)
In a second, I’ll get to why this pick may be scrutinized. For now, let me lay out some stats and scouting that made this pick easier than I imagined. For starters, he allowed as many first downs as he had pass deflections (seven). His passer rating against was 31.9, several points below if the QB throws it into the dirt every time. He did not allow more than a single reception from any WR he covered at LSU. And he had zero penalties for the entirety of the season! He has been nicked up with minor injuries, but health is not an issue at all with Delane.
More Mansoor Madness (Eminem-inem?):
A skeptic might say: “One year wonder!” No. It was him going to a culture that suited him more, and he figured it all out. As one might assume from a former Hokie, he’s very intelligent. It’s quite rare to see him beat over the top when in zone. If I had one critique, he does seem to allow a bit too much cushion, but that can be easily coached and fixed. I think much of Pro Football Focus is silly, but their grades on him in all pertinent categories were elite.
Delane is a Day 1 starter, which brings me back to the offseason the Rams had. You might recall they had two first-round selections a couple months ago. Their 29th overall pick (and ’27 3rd) were used to get, and extend, Trent McDuffie. They also signed Jaylen Watson, McDuffie’s running mate in KC. Their safeties are young and terrific too. Of course this matters, but grabbing Delane is a low-key perfect scenario for LA.
Because both Delane and McDuffie share similar body types, inside-outside versatility, athletic abilities and length, it stands to reason Mansoor would be a sponge to soak up all the insight Trent may throw his way. But waaaaay more importantly, Delane becomes a weapon in this defense. Which, again, made this decision easier. Their DC can play so much with his scheme. Half man, half zone. Disguising coverages before every snap, if need be. If a QB doesn’t know if he’s facing zone/man due to personnel, it can wreak havoc on their pre-snap observations. Pair that with the Rams’ DL in your face, and it could be potent.
Your back-5 is McDuffie, Watson, Delane, Kamren Kinchens and Kam Curl — all ballhawks with elite coverage ability. The Rams had the second best secondary in the NFL last year. This is the rich getting richer. I can understand folks pointing to the extension the Rams recently doled out to Quintin Lake. He’s more of a nickel-safety hybrid weapon more than a typecast FS/SS/Slot. He played over 200 snaps outside of the slot in 2024 — split between box and deep safeties, while blitzing off EDGE for a dozen or so plays.
Keep in mind, the Rams gave up a ’27 third-rounder for TMc. So, if Delane hits the ground running, Quentin Lake (or Watson) could be moved for a future Day 2 pick. Just something to keep in mind. What makes this selection more exciting is the pairing of the back-5 with the front-5.
It’s why I’d expect the Rams to be aggressive for a guy like David Bailey, Francis Mauigoa or Rueben Bain Jr. After all, they’re gonna need to extend studs such as Jared Verse, Byron Young, Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner and Poona Ford. (It’s a shame there aren’t any NT/DT available in the first tier of the draft, but there are some really interesting talents that can be had on Day 2 to eventually replace Ford.)
That front-5 can get after the QB with the best of ‘em. Now, the back-5 is as talented as there is in the NFL, so good luck passing on this defense. They’ll force 3-and-outs and many short drives which allows Stafford et al. to cook on offense.
I do not think “BPA” (vert) is always the answer. One has to look at the entire roster and draft class. I.e., the so-called horizontal board is almost as important as the vertical one. But Delane is about as good as it gets. Shades of Quinyon Mitchell, for sure. While Q has easier deep speed and slightly more fluid hips, Delane seems to be a tad better turning PDs into INTs.
TL;DR — 13 receptions allowed all year, no penalties, no touchdowns, elite shutdown play, patience with immediate break, can play variety of techniques, drops off out of zone to pick off passes, footwork very clean, more incompletions forced than first rounds allowed, Quinyon-esque, scheme versatile, answered all straight-speed with 4.35-4.38 40, 11 PBUs, first-team all American, good size, limited false steps and most importantly: BPA in a tier above the rest.
Extraneous thoughts:
1. I’ll be shocked if Delane gets past 9-12
2. I love that Q is the bellwether for so many CB comps; still getting used to h in a tier above the rest
Post script (since I haven’t written enough yet!):
To those whom think Sadiq should’ve been picked, I see the rationale. Just hard getting passed his pedestrian numbers, lack of field awareness, limited route tree and being slightly undersized. Similar to how I see Freeling: major upside, but low floor. Not to mention, the Rams have solid depth at tight end. Colby Parkinson is a fine TE1. They just used a second-round pick in 2025 for an uber athletic TE prospect from Oregon in Terrance Ferguson.
For Eagles fans: I doubt Monroe Freeling lasts too much longer in this mock draft; however, he is on the ground a ton in his lone year at UGA. His feet are all over the place. He doesn’t have that stout anchor (yet) and gives up on blocks way too often. But those are all teachable for a young kid. If the NFL has trepidation taking him in the first 10-15 picks, this is EXACTLY the type of player Howie would/should move up. Really want our Day 1 pick to have a surname beginning with “F.” (“F them picks,” as it were.)
I’m aware the Rams have Emmanuel Forbes, and I don’t care. If one were to only look at his counting stats from ESPN, he’d look like a rock solid depth CB. He’s not.
No Doubt About It First-Round Talents (11): Reese, Styles, Downs, Mendoza, Bailey, Love, Bain, Mauigoa, Delane Tate, and Ioane — in no particular order.
Tier Two: Tate, Fano, Lemon, Sadiq and maaaybe Tyson.
Tier Three: Freeling, Faulk and the ilk.
2026 BGN Mock Draft Order
1) Raiders (Mailata_in_a_Miata): Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
2) Jets (Dr.MidnightGreen): Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
3) Cardinals (grantspectations): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
4) Titans (DrBubbles): Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
5) Giants (ablesser88): Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
6) Browns (kjb304): Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
7) Commanders (Jerry Robinson 56): Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
8) Saints (VetStadiumSection358): David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
9) Chiefs (Hoosinole): Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
10) Bengals (chuckelberryfinn): Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
11) Dolphins (phillyfan): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
12) Cowboys (ejdubya): Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
13) Rams (All_Hail_Howie): Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
14) Ravens (215T1LL1D1e)
15) Buccaneers (pascofljoe)
16) Jets (Euegene11)
17) Lions (BCHaas)
18) Vikings (The Player Formerly Known as Mousecop)
19) Panthers (LancGuy)
20) Cowboys (Cravin’ LeBlanc)
21) Steelers (iam4theBirdz)
22) Chargers (Aint1stULast)
23) Eagles (Philly21)
24) Browns (FierceDisc65)
25) Bears (jazztafari)
26) Bills (PhillyTexan)
27) 49ers (granthill7)
28) Texans (CrackTheEaglesNut)
29) Chiefs (z)
30) Dolphins (Booth12)
31) Patriots (Niels Rosenquist)
32) Seahawks (J. Wil)
Now it’s YOUR TURN to vote for who you think should be selected with this pick.
1) Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza
2) Jets: EDGE Arvell Reese
3) Cardinals: OT Francis Mauigoa
4) Titans: RB Jeremiyah Love
5) Giants: LB Sonny Styles
6) Browns: WR Carnell Tate
7) Commanders: EDGE David Bailey
8) Saints: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.
9) Chiefs: S Caleb Downs
10) Bengals: CB Mansoor Delane
11) Dolphins: WR Jordyn Tyson
12) Cowboys: CB Jermod McCoy
13) Rams:
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