LSU CB Mansoor Delane Could Boost Cowboys' Secondary

The top cornerback prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft could be an immediate impact player for Dallas.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:17am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football player in motion, with sharp planes of color and form capturing the energy and athleticism of the sport.A cubist interpretation of a top cornerback prospect's dynamic movement on the field.Dallas Today

LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane is considered one of the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, and the Dallas Cowboys could have the opportunity to select him with the 12th overall pick. Delane began his college career at Virginia Tech, where he was recruited by current Cowboys secondary coach Ryan Smith. If the Cowboys draft Delane, he would likely earn a starting role immediately and could become one of the best corners on the roster.

Why it matters

The Cowboys have made several additions to their cornerback room this offseason, but Delane would come in and potentially be an immediate impact player. With his man-to-man coverage skills and ability to take away an opposing team's best receiver, Delane could help solidify the Cowboys' secondary and make it a strength of the team.

The details

Delane is considered by many to be the first cornerback taken off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft, and he is projected to be a top-10 pick. The Cowboys may need to trade up to select him, as he could be gone before their 12th overall pick. Delane's combination of speed, ball skills, and coverage ability make him an attractive option for the Cowboys, who are looking to improve their secondary.

  • Delane began his collegiate career at Virginia Tech in 2022.
  • In 2022, current Cowboys secondary coach Ryan Smith was the cornerbacks coach and defensive passing game coordinator at Virginia Tech, where he recruited Delane.
  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for late April.

The players

Mansoor Delane

A cornerback prospect from LSU who is considered one of the top players in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Ryan Smith

The current secondary coach for the Dallas Cowboys, who previously recruited Delane to play at Virginia Tech.

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What’s next

The Cowboys will need to evaluate Delane and other top prospects leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft in late April to determine if they should try to trade up to select him.

The takeaway

The addition of Mansoor Delane could help solidify the Cowboys' secondary and make it a strength of the team. His combination of coverage skills, ball skills, and speed make him an attractive option for Dallas, but they may need to trade up to secure him in the draft.