Mansoor Delane – LSU CB
Measurables / Athletic Testing
Height – 6’0
Weight – 187
Arm Length – 30”
Hand Size – 8 7/8”
Athletic Testing N/A
- (Reportedly ran a 4.38 40yd Dash at Pro Day)
25’ Production
45 Tackles
11 PBUs
2 INTs
Late Round 1 / Early Round 2 Grade
(Top 50)
- Shades of Desmond Trufant
Delane is a high floor corner that excels in his ability to mirror receivers with his phenomenal instincts and clean technique no matter the alignment. Delane also balances being aggressive and physical with his hands throughout a route without getting himself in trouble with penalties. While I do view Delane as a plug and play starting level corner at the next level I have questions as to his upside or ability to match consistently with the opposing teams best receiver which is why I pause at him being a Top 10 Pick even in a weaker draft. While the 4.38 40 yard dash was promising to see from his Pro Day I can’t say that I saw that on film. I wouldn’t say I feel concerned with his athleticism but I can’t say it was something that excited me from the film either and when you pair that with questionable measurables on arm length and hand size I have my questions as to how he’ll translate to the next level. I don’t want to sound as if I hate Delane as a prospect or that I don’t believe in him at all as I still project him as a solid starter in this league that’ll be worth signing to a second contract but I cannot get behind that level of prospect going in the top ten picks of the draft.
Positives
- Shadows WRs movement off the line with great footwork, balance, and clean hips.
- Sticky in man and has great positioning throughout routes with verticals and comebacks really standing out.
- Physical throughout shorter routes but does a great job of staying in penalty free positioning.
- His instincts and clean technique keep him in the receivers hip pocket throughout the route which allows him to feel breaks in without holding or really use his hands at all. Penalties won’t be an issue
Negatives
- Despite good discipline and being in the right spot on paper his instincts in zone leave room to grow as he can get caught looking in the backfield and not getting the depth or to the catch point as early as he could.
- Short arms and lack of attitude leads to him being a subpar tackler. Not someone that I would love to see play the nickel as he lacks the aggressiveness and consistency when trying to shed blocks in the run and screen game.
- Arm length is a negative outlier for NFL corners at 30” and when you pair that with with sub 9” hands and ball skills that leave a lot to be desired I don’t see him ever being a guy that creates consistent turnovers in coverage.
