Mansoor Delane is already familiar with the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff.
Mansoor Delane, the All-American from LSU who is widely regarded as the best cornerback prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, was one of the early recepients of one of the 30 pre-draft visits for the Dallas Cowboys.
And when he talks with new coordinator Christian Parker's staff, there will be some catching up to do as he rekindles a prior relationship.
Parker's new secondary coach, Ryan Smith formally of the Arizona Cardinals, was actually the coach who recruited Delane out of high school to commit to Virginia Tech as he coached the Hokies' cornerbacks. However, as DallasCowboys.com notes, Smith did not get to spend much time with Delane. Instead, Smith took a job at Northwestern ahead of Delane's freshman season in 2022.
The 3-star recruit from Maryland would go on to garner major recognition as a freshman and spend three seasons at Virginia Tech. He transferred to LSU ahead of last season and grew his national reputation even more with 11 passes defensed, 45 tackles and two interceptions and earned unanimous All-American status.
While it might've been brief, the Cowboys could use that familiarity with their No. 12 pick. Many projections see Delane mocked in that area of the first round.
"That’s my guy," Delane said of Smith earlier this spring. "He recruited me to Virginia Tech but before I got there, he wasn’t able to stay...
"But maybe we’ll be able to reunite."
Dallas has a need at the position following last season's disastrous pass defense. Reporter Tommy Yarrish believes Delane's traits would fit in nicely.
"Delane can take away an opposing team's best receiver with his man-to-man coverage ability and knack for attacking the ball when it's in his vicinity," Yarrish said. "He may not have the taller, longer armed frame that Dallas has valued at the position in years past, but the tape from 2025 at LSU shows an impact player with the speed to run alongside quicker receivers downfield."
After waiving Trevon Diggs, the Cowboys have already addressed the secondary by signing former Ram Cobie Durant, inking free agent safety Jalen Thompson to a major deal, and adding depth in P.J. Locke.
DaRon Bland and Shavon Revel Jr. are the top returners at cornerback, but Revel, a rookie last season after slipping to the third round, is still a question mark as he fully returns from a knee injury suffered in college. Bland's injury history is worth noting, too, but he figures to be involved as much as he's able to after last offseason's long-term extension.
Yarrish adds: "All of the sudden, the secondary could begin to look like a strength for Dallas with the addition of a player like Delane."
Dallas could partly thank a savvy hire and a crucial relationship if they land their guy.
