The Dallas Cowboys have given themselves some flexibility in the NFL Draft by adding several defensive pieces during the first wave of free agency. However, enough meat was left on the bone that they could target a cornerback, edge rusher, or linebacker with the No. 12 pick.
Perhaps no player has been mocked to Dallas more frequently than LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane. While the signing of Cobie Durant stabilized the CB room, it needs at least one more starting-caliber player, and Delane is widely regarded as the top cornerback in the class.
Delane would be a great fit, but he may have run himself out of Dallas’ range at LSU’s pro day, where scouts clocked him at 4.35 in the 40-yard dash (h/t Adam Schefter, ESPN).
The Dallas Cowboys' hopes of drafting Mansoor Delane have taken a brutal hit
Some scouts had Delane at 4.38 seconds, but the headline is that he cracked 4.4, which is exactly what he needed after sitting out drills at the NFL Combine. He made a loud statement to cornerback-needy teams that he’s worth a top-10 pick.
Unfortunately for the Cowboys, a lot of teams fit that bill. In fact, almost every team from picks No. 5-11 could justify taking a cornerback.
The Giants (No. 5), Commanders (No. 7), Saints (No. 8), Chiefs (No. 9), Bengals (No. 10), and Dolphins (No. 11) all have uninspiring secondaries. Cornerback isn’t their only need, but it would take a lot of luck for all of them to pass on Delane.
The one silver lining here is that CBs tend to slide in the draft. Texas' Jahdae Barron was the first corner taken last year at No. 29 overall. In 2024, Quinyon Mitchell was taken 22nd by the Eagles.
It's hardly a sure thing that Delane won't be available.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is going first overall, while Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and edge rushers Arvell Reese, David Bailey, and Rueben Bain are all expected to go inside the top 10. Furthermore, the Cardinals are expected to address their offensive line, while the Browns, Saints, and Dolphins could all take a wide receiver.
There’s a path for Delane to fall to Dallas, but his 40 time erased any doubts about his athleticism and likely cemented his status as CB1, making it more likely he’s off the board before the Cowboys pick.