NFL Draft Rumors: Joe Burrow’s Cincinnati Bengals tied to high potential LSU cornerback to upgrade their secondary (Image via Getty: Joe Burrow and Cincinnati Bengals logo)
The Cincinnati Bengals shocked everyone this offseason when they had to let go of their long-time star edge rusher, Trey Hendrickson, to the Lamar Jackson-led Baltimore Ravens.
Without him, their secondary seems questionable and at high risk. Therefore, several analysts have zeroed in on the 2026 NFL Draft class’ top cornerback, Mansoor Delane, for them.ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. reports that the LSU Tigers alum is technically sound and can make plays to get the defense off the gridiron and put the ball in quarterback Joe Burrow’s hands.
NFL Draft Rumors : Cincinnati Bengals zero in on top corner Mansoor Delane as their 10th overall pick
Bengals hold 10th overall pick and several analysts predict Delane for Cincinnati.
Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski projects the Virginia Tech corner for Burrow’s franchise. The Bengals have a complementary defense as opposed to their elite, high-powered offense; Delane could fill the gap perfectly.Bleacher Report Scouting Department’s Daniel Harms reports that Cincinnati has recently shown signs of life at corner, but they still need an upgrade in secondary. It could be because they lost both Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai.
Anyhow, the franchise needs depth beyond Dax Hill and DJ Turner. Both are seeking long-term deals, but The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. reports that the idea of keeping the duo on long-term deals does not fit with the traditional approach [one that involves cautiously approaching salary cap management and roster building]. The duo is probably creating a scenario for Cincinnati where it has to choose between paying for top-tier performance and maintaining financial flexibility.
A rookie deal could bring long-term roster construction and financial flexibility for Cincinnati. Also, bringing Delane could allow Hill to move into the slot [natural inclination according to analysts], and Delane and Turner could man the outside. As for Delane’s stats, he delivered his best after being transferred from Virginia Tech to LSU in 2025. The change was evident in the first very game against the Clemson Tigers when he clocked an interception and established himself as a “lockdown presence.”
His total stats include: 27 pass breakups and eight interceptions.
Competition between Mansoor Delane and Jermod McCoy
The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. projects top two corners that could hit the Bengals at the 10th overall pick as LSU Tigers CB Mansoor Delane and Tennessee Volunteers CB Jermod McCoy. Delane could be a ‘consensus’ pick, but McCoy has a more athletic profile and possesses ball-hawking skills that fit the Bengals at 10.McCoy reminds ESPN’s Mina Kimes of Stephon Gilmore. Much of McCoy’s 2024 tape resembled the qualities of elite corner Stephon Gilmore from the New England Patriots, be it size, physicality at the line of scrimmage, fluid footwork, or recovery speed.Only time will tell if his ball skills are comparable to that of Gilmore’s. But the Tennessee product did record 44 total tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions, and seven pass deflections in 2024. He did not play last season because of a torn ACL he suffered in Jan. 2025.SB Nation’s Michael Peterson suggests that in a normal year, McCoy could be the top guy for the Bengals if it weren’t for his ACL injury.This could have been a deciding factor for Cincy Jungle’s Dale Altman to drop McCoy and go with Delane for Cincinnati.
Delane could come as a consolation prize for any franchise looking to level up their defense to match the offense under Joe Burrow.
Joe Burrow has Mamba Mentality and Mansoor Delane has Alpha Mentality
The LSU product is a high-ceiling cornerback; he plays with ideal aggression and displays an alpha mentality, contrasting with the star Bengals QB. Remember NFL Insider Jay Glazer’s reporting during Burrow’s recovery? The star QB suffered a Grade 3 turf toe injury in Sept. 2025. It required surgery and a long absence from the gridiron.NFL Insider Jay Glazer spoke about his recovery timeline, saying, “They’re saying 3 months, I don’t see 3 months being an actual timeline. I think more or so [Burrow has] a chance [to return] if they make the playoffs, but only because it’s Burrow. Somebody else, I’d say no. But he has a Mamba Mentality, maybe yes. It’s such a difficult injury to return from.”Mamba Mentality is characterized by constant improvement, whereas Alpha Mentality is characterized by self-mastery. So, would Cincinnati consider drafting Mansoor Delane? Only time will tell…
