Draft month, finally, has arrived.
Continuing our series, which began earlier this month and will run until the 2026 NFL Draft begins on April 23, The Detroit News will spotlight one prospect a day who could be a first-round fit for the Detroit Lions, who own the 17th overall pick. Assuming the Lions don’t trade out, it’ll be their highest selection since running back Jahmyr Gibbs went No. 12 in 2023.
Today’s focus is on LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane.
Mansoor Delane stats
31.3 opponent passer rating when targeted in 2025
8 career interceptions
191 combined tackles over four college seasons
4.38-second 40-yard dash
Mansoor Delane career background
Delane was a three-star recruit via 247 Sports’ composite ranking out of Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn, Maryland. He was the No. 651 prospect overall, the No. 15 prospect from Maryland, and the No. 59 cornerback in the 2022 class. He also wrestled in high school. He accepted an offer from Virginia Tech over several Big Ten schools, including Michigan State.
Delane played eight games as a freshman and impressed in 401 defensive snaps. He made 38 tackles with 3½ tackles for loss, and just one missed tackle, showcasing what would be one of his strengths coming into the league. He was ultra-sticky in coverage, allowing just 16 completions on 35 attempts for an opposing passer rating of 66.3.
During his sophomore season (2023), Delane started 13 games for the Hokies. His play over his last two years at Virginia Tech didn’t quite reach the heights he achieved as a freshman. He had 54 tackles with 14 stops in each of the next two seasons, but his missed tackle rate jumped to 16.2% in 2023. He settled that down in 2024, lowering the rate to 9.4%.
In coverage, Delane’s second and third seasons took a step back, too. His opposing passer rating was above 80 in both seasons, and he was called for six penalties in that span. He was Second Team All-ACC in 2024, however, after pulling down four interceptions.
For his final year of college, Delane jumped into the transfer portal. He was ranked as a four-star transfer via 247Sports, the No. 15 cornerback and the 111th player overall. He joined LSU, where he cemented himself as a first-round pick.
Delane intercepted a pass and added another pass breakup in his LSU debut against Clemson, allowing just one catch on eight targets. He allowed 14 completions all season on 35 attempts, both career bests, with two interceptions, seven pass breakups, and an opposing passer rating of 31.3. Delane was named a unanimous All-American and First Team All-SEC.
Delane opted out of playing in the Texas Bowl, but he was dealing with a core injury that hampered him for most of the 2025 season.
Mansoor Delane analysis
Delane (6 feet, 187 pounds) is a fluid and instinctive cornerback who is a match for just about any scheme a defense wants to run. He displays the physical style a Detroit defense wants while playing relatively clean — he was tagged for zero penalties during the 2025 season — and still showcases his ability to make plays on the football, with two interceptions and 11 pass breakups.
Delane has proven to be a willing tackler, which is another green flag for his fit in Detroit. He has a ton of defensive stops (47) and tackles for loss (seven) on his resume, given the position he played. “He always looks to get involved in run defense, closing space in a hurry and operating as a physical, reliable tackler,” NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah writes.
At the next level, Delane could stand to add more muscle. “His average frame and play strength might be greater hindrances versus NFL size, but he is an alpha competitor and carries himself like a pro,” The Athletic’s Dane Brugler says. Another question about Delane’s game was his speed — that is, until he ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at his pro day, which would’ve tied for the second-fastest among cornerbacks at the NFL Combine.
The Lions’ need for a cornerback in the upcoming draft is a little unclear due to the ongoing nature of off-the-field questions involving Terrion Arnold. But even setting that aside, it’s still considered a long-term need due to the inconsistency among Detroit’s cornerbacks, both with their play and their health.
Previous profiles
Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
Texas A&M edge defender Cashius Howell
Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa
Missouri defensive end Zion Young
Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell
Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr.
Georgia linebacker CJ Allen
Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq
Clemson defensive end T.J. Parker
Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling
Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman
Texas Tech edge defender David Bailey
Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs
Penn State guard Vega Ioane
Auburn defensive lineman Keldric Faulk
Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano
Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy
Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor
Miami edge defender Akheem Mesidor
nbianchi@detroitnews.com
@nolanbianchi
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Mansoor Delane could be NFL Draft steal for Lions in Round 1
Reporting by Nolan Bianchi, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
