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The 2026 NFL Draft is approaching fast and league scouts are solidifying their big boards. Cornerback Mansoor Delane could be among the players who hear their name called early in Pittsburgh this week when the NFL welcomes its newest class of rookies.
USA TODAY Sports has all the latest on where the prospect out of LSU may land.
Here's how USA TODAY's latest mock draft currently projects draft day will play out for the former college star.
Mansoor Delane 2026 NFL Draft prediction: Pick No. 9 overall, Kansas City Chiefs
Nate Davis' Fit Analysis:
On one hand, it would make a lot of sense to do anything at this spot in a bid to help QB Patrick Mahomes both long term and in a bid to ease his recovery from a torn ACL and LCL. On the other, a secondary that was raided during free agency also needs reinforcements, and Delane appears to be a cut above the competition at corner. The 6-foot, 187-pound All-America has lockdown ability and might even be able to eat up some of some of the snaps departed Trent McDuffie used to provide in the slot though Delane was rarely used there at Virginia Tech and LSU.
Ayrton Ostly's Big Board Rank: No. 7
Don't let his lean frame (6-foot-1, 187 pounds) fool you. Delane is a technician at the cornerback spot with impressive savvy for a player his age. Quarterbacks actively avoided him in the SEC; he was targeted just 35 times in 11 games and allowed just 13 receptions for 147 yards all season. There are concerns about his frame in run defense but the coverage acumen is off the charts.
Campus Intel:
Mansoor Delane transferred to LSU from Virginia Tech to iron out the parts of his game that he needed to make himself as ready as possible for the NFL Draft. And he did it as he worked himself into arguably the top cornerback prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. Delane it top-notch in coverage and his ball instincts are unmatched in this draft class. -- Cory Diaz, The Daily Advertiser
See USA TODAY's full mock draft here
Mansoor Delane player profile
All stats from 2025 NCAA Season
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 187
- Tackles: 45
- Tackles For Loss: 0
- Sacks: 0
- Passes Defensed: 11
- Forced Fumbles: 0
- Interceptions: 2
When is the 2026 NFL Draft
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place between April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
- Thursday, April 23: Round 1
- Friday, April 24: Rounds 2-3
- Saturday, April 25: Rounds 4-7
How to watch the 2026 NFL Draft
- Dates: April 23-25
- Time: 8 p.m. ET (Round 1); 7 p.m. ET (Rounds 2-3); Noon ET (Rounds 4-7)
- Channels: NFL Network; ESPN; ESPN2; ESPN Deportes
- Streaming: NFL+; ESPN Unlimited & Select; Fubo
Fans have several options to choose from to watch the 2026 NFL Draft. NFL Network and ESPN will have separate broadcasts, each providing a different analysis of each pick as it happens on draft night.
Cord-cutters can stream the different broadcasts on NFL+, the NFL's proprietary streaming service; ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited, ESPN's streaming services; or cable alternative Fubo , which offers a free trial.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mansoor Delane 2026 NFL mock draft: latest prediction for LSU Cornerback
