Mansoor Delane CB LSU | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Mansoor Delane CB LSU
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Outside Zone CB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 05/21/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.44 seconds (72%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.5 DOB: 12/15/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Outside Zone CB | |
| Last Updated: 05/21/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 4.44 seconds (72%*) | |
| Age: 21.5 DOB: 12/15/2003 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 85.0 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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81% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 83.9 | |
| Tackling: |
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85% |
| Run Defense: |
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84% |
| Coverage: |
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78% |
| Zone: |
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75% |
| Man/Press: |
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78% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#78
Position rank:
#12
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| College Games: 32 College Snaps: 1826 | ||
ESPN RATING: 80/100
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247 RATING: 87/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.6 (92%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cam Smith - South Carolina |
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92% |
| Shaun Wade - Ohio State |
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92% |
| Denzel Burke - Ohio State |
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91% |
Draft Profile: Bio
After cutting his teeth at Virginia Tech for three seasons where he started 29 consecutive games, Mansoor Delane made the calculated decision to bet on himself and transfer to LSU for his final collegiate campaign. This wasn't just another player looking for NIL money – this was a future pro meticulously plotting his path to Sundays. Despite being projected as a mid-round selection had he declared for the 2025 draft, Delane recognized the value in joining "DBU" under secondary guru Corey Raymond's tutelage.Delane's baptism by fire came as a freshman against North Carolina, where on his very first collegiate snap, he knifed through blockers to stuff a run for a loss. Two plays, two tackles – against future Patriots starter Drake Maye no less – and the teenager was off to the races. His production steadily climbed from there, culminating in a Third-Team All-ACC nod in 2024 after snagging four interceptions and breaking up 11 passes. The Virginia Tech coaching staff trusted him implicitly, deploying him across 1,826 defensive snaps during his Hokie tenure and leaning on his versatility to play multiple positions in the secondary.
The decision to join LSU's loaded defensive backfield speaks volumes about Delane's mindset. Rather than running from competition, he embraced it, understanding that daily battles against the Tigers' NFL-caliber receiving corps and Heisman candidate QB Garrett Nussmeier would sharpen his skills. His cerebral approach has allowed him to cross-train at corner, nickel, and safety during spring practices, developing the scheme versatility that NFL front offices covet. With an impressive blend of production (146 tackles, 7.0 TFLs, 22 passes defended, and 6 interceptions over three seasons) and physical tools, Delane is positioning himself to rise up draft boards come April 2026.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Processed spatial relationships at an elite level, showing rare ability to anticipate route combinations before they materialize – was routinely a step ahead in zone assignments.
- Changes direction like his cleats are on swivels – shows exceptional fluidity when flipping his hips and exploding out of his pedal without gathering steps.
- Brings cornerback quickness with a safety's mentality against the run – will trigger downhill with conviction and wrap tackle through the thighs with surprising pop.
- Plays with controlled aggression at the catch point, displaying veteran timing when attacking the receiver's hands without drawing flags.
- Demonstrates remarkable mental processing speed – diagnoses screens and misdirection plays almost instantly, rarely takes false steps against window dressing.
- Brings valuable position versatility having cross-trained at boundary corner, nickel, and deep safety – possesses football intelligence to handle multiple roles.
- Shows natural instincts reading quarterbacks' intentions in zone coverage – consistently baits throws and jumps passing lanes with calculated timing.
- Brings legitimate scheme versatility – thrived in both Virginia Tech's zone-heavy system and LSU's more man-oriented approach without missing a beat.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Frame is on the slender side at 187 pounds – can get bodied by bigger receivers at the break point who use their mass to create separation in tight quarters.
- Shows occasional over-aggression jumping underneath routes – savvy NFL quarterbacks will manipulate his eyes with pump fakes and double moves.
- Tendency to peek in the backfield can lead to losing track of assignments when playing man coverage – needs to trust his technique more consistently.
- While competitive at the catch point, lacks the elite length to consistently disrupt passing windows against taller boundary receivers in contested situations.
- Deep speed is adequate but not special – could struggle to recover against NFL burners who threaten his cushion with legitimate vertical push.
Scouting Report: Summary
When the tape stops rolling on Mansoor Delane, you're left with a study in contrasts. The instincts leap off the screen – he processes route combinations with veteran savvy and rarely makes the same mistake twice. Yet that same cerebral approach occasionally becomes his undoing, as he'll overthink situations and get caught flat-footed against misdirection. His fluidity in space allows him to mirror receivers through their breaks, though bigger-bodied targets expose his lean frame and functional strength limitations in contested situations.The modern NFL demands defensive backs who can wear multiple hats, and Delane's cross-training at corner, nickel, and safety positions him to thrive in that environment. His zone instincts and pattern-matching skills suggest immediate contribution potential in sub-packages, where his diagnostic ability shines brightest. However, he'll need continued physical development to hold up against the weekly pounding at the next level. While he's shown admirable toughness as a tackler despite his size limitations, the question remains whether that approach can withstand the punishment of covering tight ends and bigger slot receivers at the NFL level.
Delane's ceiling will ultimately be determined by how effectively he addresses his physical limitations while maintaining the technical precision that makes him special. He brings enough versatility to find a home in virtually any defensive system, but his frame may dictate where he lines up most frequently. The LSU transplant won't wow anyone stepping off the bus, but his football acumen and competitive temperament will endear him to coaching staffs looking for a reliable defensive back who can execute complex assignments.
How other scouting services rate Mansoor Delane (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
72.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
12.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.