One Rookie CB Is Too Fast for the Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings are probably — or at least they should be — in the market for a rookie cornerback. And the best one available, according to draft heads, next month is LSU’s Mansoor Delane. The problem? Delane ran a 4.35 forty at his Pro Day on Monday, all but disqualifying him from the Vikings’ draft spot at No. 18.

Delane’s stock is climbing, and Minnesota will need a new plan at No. 18.

Thanks to his remarkable speed, in addition to a dazzling draft profile, Delane almost certainly won’t tumble that far down the board on April 23rd.

Delane’s Combine Surge Will Affect Minnesota’s Draft Board

On to the next for the Vikings’ 1st-Round scouting.

Delane Runs 4.35 at Pro Day

Don’t look now, but Delane has the speed for a Top 10 pick; he proved that and then some Monday.

SBNation‘s Dale Altman wrote, ‘Mansoor Delane ran a blazing 4.35 40-yard dash today at the LSU Pro Day. The LSU cornerback was already considered to be the top prospect at the position for the 2026 NFL Draft. All he did by running that time was solidify himself as the top guy, and potentially another step closer to going in the top 10.”

“Delane was tremendous in 2025 with a 90.7 coverage grade. He allowed just a 40.0% completion rate against him this past season. He was a shutdown corner for the Tigers. He isn’t just a cover corner either, Delane is a more than willing participant against the run.”

CB-needy teams salivated, basically guaranteeing Delane’s status as the first cornerback off the board.

The Full Delane Scouting Report

Delane possesses the traits teams pursue: the speed to handle isolation coverage, the size to battle through contact, and the versatility to play multiple positions. This skill set makes him a strong fit for a Vikings defense seeking stability at cornerback.

His LSU film reveals even more, as he plays with palpable energy, displays confidence on the boundary, and exhibits the range to transition seamlessly between roles.

Looking toward 2026, the Vikings need a young cornerback who can develop into a long-term solution, a need they haven’t addressed through the draft in over a decade. Trae Waynes, their last successful pick, plateaued as a reliable player rather than developing into a star. Since Waynes, the pattern has been consistent — Mike Hughes, Jeff Gladney, Andrew Booth Jr. — short tenures, limited production, and ultimately, no staying power. Eleven years later, the need remains.

Before Monday, Delane was listed with 4.44 speed, which is wonderful, but then he blew the doors off his own scouting report at 4.35.

The Draft Buzz on the 6-foot, 190-pounder: “Mansoor Delane is one of the most instinctive cornerbacks to come out of college football in recent years. Delane does not just cover receivers; he anticipates them. This is a complete cornerback prospect outside of one question mark. His instincts are elite. His ball skills are elite.”

“His coverage grades in both man and zone are elite. His competitive temperament is exactly what coaches want in their secondary. The only genuine concern is whether his long speed can hold up against the burners he will face every Sunday.”

The next corner expected to be picked after Delane is Clemson’s Avieon Terrell.

TBD added, “That is a fair question, and it will determine whether Delane becomes a true lockdown corner or a very good starter who occasionally needs help over the top. Either outcome represents tremendous value. The year-over-year improvement tells a compelling story about his trajectory.”

“He went from allowing seven touchdowns in 2024 to zero in 2025 while facing significantly better competition in the SEC. That is not coincidence; that is a player who refined his technique, mastered his craft, and arrived at LSU ready to prove he belongs among the best in the country. He has the makeup of a long-term starter and the instincts to become something even more special.”

Who Can Vikings Draft Other Than Delane?

With Delane catapulting his stock to new heights, Vikings fans must focus on other prospects at No. 18. Here’s a look at the usual suspects to land in Minnesota:

• Avieon Terrell (CB) — Clemson
• Akheem Mesidor (EDGE) — Miami (FL)
• Caleb Banks (DT) — Florida
• C.J. Allen (LB) — Georgia
• Dillon Thieneman (S) — Oregon
• Emmanuel McNeil-Warren — Toledo
• Jermod McCoy (CB) — Tennessee
• Jordyn Tyson (WR) — Arizona State
• Kayden McDonald (DT) — Ohio State
• Keldric Faulk (EDGE) — Auburn
• Kenyon Sadiq (TE) — Oregon
• Makai Lemon (WR) — USC
• Peter Woods (DT) — Clemson

Mesidor and Faulk, the EDGEs, are only listed in the off chance the Vikings fulfill the Jonathan Greenard trade rumors. If so, Minnesota may need an immediate OLB replacement.

Top Delane Landing Spots

So, if Mansoor is not destined to become a Viking, well, where will he land? The safest projection is one of these franchises:

• Kansas City Chiefs (No. 9)
• Cincinnati Bengals (No. 10)
• Miami Dolphins (No. 11)
• Dallas Cowboys (No. 12)

The New Orleans Saints, too, at No. 8, could be in the mix, but most believe Kellen Moore’s team needs EDGE help more than cornerback.

Delane will turn 23 in December. If the Vikings snag a cornerback in Round 1, it will likely be Terrell from Clemson or McCoy of Tennessee.