The Cleveland Browns appear set with the top two spots at cornerback with Denzel Ward, still one of the best at the position in the league, and Tyson Campbell, who did a nice job after coming over from the Jacksonville Jaguars in a mid-season trade.
After those two, however, things get a bit dicey.
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Martin Emerson Jr. was slated to be the third cornerback in 2025 before an Achilles injury ended his season in training camp. Now a free agent, general manager Andrew Berry has publicly stated that Emerson should probably look elsewhere if he wants to compete for a starter’s role.
Moving down the depth chart shows an interchangeable group of predominantly special teamers that no one will be pounding the table too hard to see them get extra playing time.
Fortunately for the Browns, the cornerback class is a deep one in this year’s draft, which is helpful given that they need to fill some key holes on the offensive side of the ball early on in the draft.
But if Berry wants to throw a curveball at everyone, he could turn his gaze south and select the presumptive top cornerback, LSU’s Mansoor Delane.
Name: Mansoor Delane
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Position: Cornerback
Height/Weight: 6-foot, 187 pounds
College: LSU Tigers
2025 Defensive Stats: 11 games, 45 tackles, 2 interceptions, 11 passes defensed
Career Defensive Stats: 44 games, 191 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 8 interceptions, 27 passes defensed, 1 fumble recovery, 4 forced fumbles
Average “Big Board” Position as of Publishing Date from Mock Draft Database: 10th overall, projected first round
The Draft Network’s Grade/Round Value: Round 1 – Pro Bowl Caliber
What an Expert is Saying
Lance Zierlein at NFL.com:
Delane is one of the top cornerbacks in a CB-rich draft. He excels in press coverage, altering release timing with punches and slides. Smooth hips and efficient footwork keep him connected in man coverage, while his processing allows for quick transitions in off-man and short zone looks. He has good top-end speed for vertical phasing, but is inconsistent in turning to find the football. While he locks in on the route at times, he’s rarely oblivious to the quarterback’s actions, allowing him to slam catch windows shut and play the football. He played through a core muscle injury for much of the 2025 season and still performed at an elite level. Delane’s emergence over the past two years might be indicative of what’s to come, as he’s shown lockdown potential.
What an Expert is Saying (Bonus Round):
Dane Brugler at The Athletic:
A one-year starter at LSU (and four-year starter overall), Delane was the left outside cornerback in defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s balanced coverage (man and zone) scheme. After teasing next-level starting talent at Virginia Tech, he took his talents to Baton Rouge in 2025 and was arguably the best cornerback in college football. He became just the 14th unanimous All-American in LSU history, and the first since Joe Burrow.
Though he doesn’t have elite length, Delane is fluid and opens with speed to stay in phase against vertical or in-breaking routes. He is instinctive in coverage and understands down and distance, which allows him to settle and close without any wasted or panicked movements (zero touchdowns allowed and zero penalties committed in 2025). His average frame and play strength might be greater hindrances versus NFL size, but he is an alpha competitor and carries himself like a pro.
Delane plays with the route anticipation and temperament to stay attached in coverage and squeeze catch windows. He projects as a starting outside NFL cornerback, with the skill set to move inside over the slot.
Fit with the Browns
The Browns can use a third cornerback now that the team has pretty much moved on from Martin Emerson Jr. Using a first-round selection at the position could be seen as a luxury with left tackle and wide receiver being bigger issues. Still, Denzel Ward is not getting any younger, and while Tyson Campbell looked solid after arriving from Jacksonville in an in-season trade, the second year in Cleveland is not always kind to players who looked good at first glance.
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If general manager Andrew Berry gets serious about adding another cornerback who could move into the No. 1 slot as Ward ages, then he may be tempted to take the top-rated player at the position. But it is a cornerback-heavy draft, so the Browns could wait until Day 2 to address the position.
Browns Player Drafting Could Impact
Ward and Campbell are locks, but Tre Avery, Myles Bryant, Myles Harden, Dom Jones, and D’Angelo Ross would all be fighting to avoid being the odd man out.
Priority: Medium
What are your thoughts on Mansoor Delane? Should the Browns select a defensive tackle for the second year in a row? Let us know in the comments!
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