The Miami Dolphins are setting a pre-draft meeting with LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane.
The Miami Dolphins have multiple roster needs, and one of the biggest is in the secondary. With the team not yet bringing back veterans Jack Jones or Rasul Douglas, the unit is severely lacking.
Newcomers Darrell Baker Jr. and Alex Austin would be the presumed starters, but more is needed. One way the Dolphins can improve their secondary in a big way is by selecting one of the top-rated cornerbacks in the draft, and Miami could do just that by bringing in LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, who has a pre-draft meeting with the team.
Delane has been mocked up and down the first round, but his impressive Pro Day performance could lead to his being drafted high in the first round. He ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash, adding speed to his already impressive ball skills.
Delane finished his time at LSU with 45 total tackles, two interceptions, and 11 passes defended. He was also named an All-American and was ranked the third-highest cornerback on Pro Football Focus with an overall grade of 90.5.
Delane's coverage grade of 90.7 is also ranked fourth.
Delane is the kind of coverage corner that the Dolphins need in the secondary, and he possesses the skill set that head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan have preached.
Any way in which the Dolphins go in the first round will help the overall roster. If that is a defender, wide receiver, or offensive lineman, the No. 11 pick will be important for Sullivan and the front office.
Delane could be the player who will be out there and starting Week 1 due to his coverage skills. It will be interesting to see if Miami plans to bring back Jones or Douglas to help guide the younger players like Delane.
Thus far, the Dolphins are aiming to get younger and build through the draft, which is likely why the veteran cornerbacks have not been re-signed. This does not mean the front office is not planning on bringing back some veterans, as veteran lineman Austin Jackson has returned.
It does mean, however, that Sullivan is planning on finding the younger and cheaper talent to rebuild the roster. Delane would be the premier player in the secondary who can kick off the defensive rebuild for the Dolphins.
Delane would be a very smart pick at No. 11, and his pre-draft visit is to determine if his personality and goals match with the reset the Dolphins are engaged in.