Aaron GlennAvieon TerrellNFL

2026 NFL Draft Preview: Who Snags Top Cornerback Mansoor Delane and Tennessee’s Duo?

Photo of Scott Kacsmar Scott Kacsmar21/04/2026 - 10:43 am
2026 NFL Draft Cornerback

We’ve reached the end of our positional 2026 NFL Draft previews with a look at the cornerbacks, led by LSU’s Mansoor Delane. We already covered the front seven and safeties, but there are a decent number of corners who should be drafted by the end of the second round too.

You can never have enough corners in this league, though the gap between the salaries for the top pass rushers and top corners seems to be increasing. For instance, Houston just made Will Anderson the first $50M per year defensive player with his extension. The top cornerback right now is Trent McDuffie (traded to the Rams) at $31M per year, which is just above what Sauce Gardner (Colts) makes.

Gardner was the most aggressive trade during the 2025 NFL season when the Colts felt halfway through the year that this was their tiny window to do something in the AFC with down years from the Chiefs, Ravens, and Bills. Unfortunately, Gardner was injured as was quarterback Daniel Jones, and the Colts missed the playoffs. They also gave up two first-round picks and may have cost themselves in the 2027 draft too.

But outside of some aggressive trades for Gardner and McDuffie in the last year by teams who were going with an all-in approach, you can conclude that corners are still nowhere near as coveted as elite pass rushers, including any defensive tackle who can get that interior pressure in the quarterback’s face.

There’s also the argument on whether you want to optimize pass coverage or pass rush. They impact one another, but there is a sense that no matter how long you can hold up in coverage, you’re going to eventually break down if no one is pressuring the passer.

There’s also a growing trend towards having a safety act as a “big nickel” and moving them around as a versatile chess piece in your defense.

I would still contend that your cornerback room should resemble your offensive line in the sense that you don’t necessarily need an elite player, but you can’t have a weak link on the left, right, or in the slot and maybe even dime. That’s the player who is going to be attacked all the time and likely let you down in the big games.

That’s why you can never have enough good corners, and this 2026 draft class figures to be solid and deep at that position. Maybe not any Darrelle Revis or Sauce Gardner type of prospect this year, but you should find some future starters and good depth in this group.

Using the prospect rankings from NFL Mock Draft Database, we are going to look at the top eight corners who are all likely first and second-round picks. We’ll look at how their skills might translate to the NFL, and which team would be the best landing spot for them.

2026 NFL Draft Cornerback (Mansoor Delane, Jermod McCoy)
Mansoor Delane (LSU) and Jermod McCoy (Tennessee).

1. Mansoor Delane (LSU) – No. 10 Overall Prospect

The consensus No. 1 corner prospect this year is Mansoor Delane, who spent three seasons at Virginia Tech (2022-24) before he transferred to LSU last year for his finest season that has him getting buzz for the top 10 in a draft that’s very light on top-end corners.

Delane has drawn comparisons to Philadelphia’s Quinyon Mitchell. Delane likes to play press coverage and be physical with his hands, which could lead to some flags in the NFL if he’s not careful, but he’s going to be someone you could build up into a lockdown corner role who follows the opponent’s top receiver.

Delane is just under 6’0” and has a lean frame, so he may not match up great with the tallest wide receivers as the deep balls can work against him at times. But he showed some ball skills with 8 interceptions and 27 passes defensed in college. He also allowed just 14 catches for 147 yards in pass coverage in 2025 despite playing through a core muscle injury.

Best Fit – New Orleans Saints (No. 8 Pick)

We’ll have a mock draft on Wednesday to go through this first round in full. But again, let’s start with what the range looks like for Mansoor as the likely CB1 in this draft.

We know Fernando Mendoza is going to the Raiders with the top pick, then those players like David Bailey and Arvell Reese are targets for the No. 2 (Jets) and No. 3 (Cardinals) picks. The Titans probably have bigger needs than a corner at No. 4 this year for a team in rebuilding mode.

But once you get to the Giants at No. 5, it gets interesting. Especially with the news this week that the Giants traded Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals for the No. 10 pick, so the Giants have No. 5 and No. 10 to use in this draft. That sure feels like a team that’s going to get a defender or two in these spots with John Harbaugh coaching the team now. They already got their quarterback (Jaxson Dart) and wideout (Malik Nabers) in the last two drafts.

No. 5 is likely too high for Delane, especially if you’re going to take him over a more likely success like linebacker Sonny Styles or safety Caleb Downs. You’d have to really want the corner to take him there, and the only downside here is by the time the Giants pick again at No. 10, Mansoor might be gone.

The Browns are a possibility at No. 6 but likely go with the trenches or maybe a wide receiver like Carnell Tate. The Commanders at No. 7 are another option as Dan Quinn’s defense is searching for blue-chip talents. Can you really go into a season with Trey Amos and Mike Sainristil as your starting corners? But they’re young too, so it’s probably overkill to throw Delane into that mix.

The Saints hold the No. 8 pick and have often been mocked with taking Delane and keeping him in Louisiana. They’re a hard team to get a read on with coach Kellen Moore going into his second season with Tyler Shough at quarterback now. But you can definitely make the argument that a smart, talented corner like Mansoor would pair great with Kool-Aid McKinstry and it does fit a need for the Saints.

The Chiefs have two first-round picks (No. 9 and No. 29), and I feel like I’ve given them so many different players for that No. 9 pick already, including receiver Carnell Tate, offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, and safety Caleb Downs.

But yes, I think Delane might even be the best pick out of those since they clearly have a need for the corner after losing Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to the Rams. There’s this belief that Steve Spagnuolo’s defense can make any corner look good, so you don’t have to keep using a high pick to get them.

The problem with that logic is that the cupboard has gotten so bare after losing those two this year and losing L’Jarius Sneed in 2024. Part of the reason you can replace a Sneed is because you used a 2022 first-round pick on McDuffie. Then there’s the issue that even with McDuffie and Watson last year, the Chiefs were still giving up huge plays on third-and-long because they couldn’t get much of a pass rush going.

If Mansoor is still there at No. 9, I think the Chiefs should just bite that bullet and get a young corner. If they pass too, I don’t see the Giants hesitating one bit to take him at No. 10, making his range 5-10 in my view.

Alas, I still think the Saints end up taking him at No. 8 where he can be their best corner rather quickly.

2. Jermod McCoy (Tennessee) – No. 15 Overall Prospect

The other potential first-round corner this year is Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy. However, we have some big news this week that his knee could be a major problem that requires another surgery that is not related to his ACL repair.

If this is true, McCoy’s stock is likely going to drop much like we saw last year with Michigan corner Will Johnson, a top 15 prospect who fell to the No. 47 pick to Arizona. McCoy could easily fall out of the first round if he needs a surgery that would likely end his rookie season before it begins.

It’s a contentious start to his pro career, but that’s the risk you take with someone who hasn’t played since the 2024 season at Tennessee. He also played for Oregon State in 2023.

This is someone who has drawn some comparisons to Darrelle Revis, which is high praise. But McCoy has good ball skills, can press receivers, and he had short-area quickness that will hopefully still be there when he plays again.

But we’ll see what teams think of the health risk in a draft that’s really lacking in another first-round corner option. McCoy did reportedly run a 4.38 40-yard dash at his team’s pro day.

Best Fit – Kansas City Chiefs (No. 29 Pick)

Expect the knee concerns to hurt McCoy enough that he doesn’t go in the top 10 picks. However, I didn’t love the range of 11-15 for him even before this news. If the Dolphins (No. 11) passed on Will Johnson last year, it’s hard to imagine they’d take McCoy this year.

The Cowboys (No. 12) are more likely to go with a front seven defender. The Rams have some interesting choices at offensive tackle and wide receiver to choose from at No. 13, and they’ve already spent enough resources on this position.

The Ravens (No. 14) are always in the mix for defense, but corner is a place they’ve invested recently. The Buccaneers could be interested at No. 15.

But perhaps the best situation for McCoy and his NFL team is for it to be a good team that can bring him along slowly if they have to and not expect a ton in 2026. If the Chiefs aren’t going to land Delane at No. 9, then getting Jermod McCoy with the No. 29 pick they got from the Rams for the McDuffie trade might be a steal at a position they definitely need to upgrade.

Would the Chiefs worry about an injury? Hell, Patrick Mahomes is recovering from a torn ACL and they drafted Josh Simmons last year despite his medical issues. They’d likely feel great about this pick if the slide is really there for McCoy in light of this late news.

3. Colton Hood (Tennessee) – No. 33 Overall Prospect

When we get to the third corner prospect, there is a drop in quality as we get into likely second-round picks. In fact, the third-ranked corner is Jermod McCoy’s teammate at Tennessee in Colton Hood, who in a way benefitted from McCoy’s absence in 2025 as he got to play more snaps at corner (12 starts after one start in 2023-24) after transferring from Auburn (2023) and Colorado (2024).

His lack of starting experience likely makes him a Night 2 pick as he doesn’t have the full technique yet for how to switch in zone coverage, and he can get grabby with receivers. But he’s a great athlete with a willingness to tackle. He just needs more seasoning but has some potential to surpass McCoy in the NFL in the right situation.

Best Fit – New York Jets (No. 33 Pick)

The Jets infamously had zero interceptions in the full 2025 season, the first for coach Aaron Glenn. Hood only had 3 picks in college, but again, he only had that one full year as a starter.

But with the Jets losing Sauce Gardner and having so many high draft picks this year, starting the second round with Hood at No. 33 would make a lot of sense. Glenn likes to play aggressive man coverage, so Hood would fit that better than most of the teams he could go to.

The interesting thing to see will be if a team takes Hood before McCoy because of the knee issue.

4. Avieon Terrell (Clemson) – No. 34 Overall Prospect

Avieon Terrell spent the last three years at Clemson, a sentence that’s likely going to become rarer to use in the transfer portal era. But Terrell progressed at Clemson and he even had 3.0 sacks last year with some pass-rush snaps.

Terrell’s scouting report reads similar to the top three corners this year in that he’s around 5’11” (give or take an inch), a fluid athlete, willing tackler, would fare best in press-man coverage scheme, but he can give up some big plays down the field to the bigger and better wideouts.

However, one difference with Terrell is he has the bloodlines to his advantage. His brother AJ was a first-round pick by the Falcons in 2020 and has made 93 starts. He may not have been worth the No. 16 pick, but you could likely get Avieon in the second round with the hope he can approach his brother’s success.

But the reason this Terrell likely won’t be a first-round pick like his brother is his 4.64 40-yard dash time, which isn’t ideal for corner. However, if he plays in the slot, then it would be harder to expose him for that.

Best Fit – Cleveland Browns (No. 39 Pick)

He likely won’t be available, but that would be something if the Falcons took him at No. 48 to team with his brother.

This is the last time I beat this dead horse, but the Chiefs hold the No. 40 pick, so if they don’t want to use a first-round pick on a corner, then Terrell at 40 is probably the best they can do. Likewise, the Giants at No. 37 would make sense.

But I think the Browns at No. 39 can draft Terrell for his NFL genes and since they could use the upgrade at the corner opposite Denzel Ward (or put him in the nickel in Week 1). Put it this way, the Browns need help on offense more, but they likely don’t have their franchise quarterback on the roster, so you still have to add pieces that will keep Myles Garrett happy on defense or he might ask for a trade.

5. Chris Johnson (San Diego State) – No. 38 Overall Prospect

This might be the eighth “Chris Johnson” to play in the NFL, but the Tennessee running back is still the cream of the crop there. We’ll see what this corner from San Diego State can bring to the table.

Johnson played all four of his years at San Diego State and had a career-high 4 interceptions and 9 passes defensed in 2025. You’re looking at a player who has done everything from special teams to different corner spots with success due to his consistent technique and it helps that he’s very athletic too, ranked No. 1 among 2026 corners in the Athleticism Score at NFL.com.

Best Fit – Cincinnati Bengals (No. 41 Pick)

He played in the Mountain West, so it wasn’t the strongest competition like most of his peers. But I think he has the potential to be one of the best in this class if he goes to the right team.

Unfortunately, I see him going to the Bengals at No. 41 after they’ve made some additions to their defense this offseason. But corner is largely the same group they’ve had, so let’s get some fresh blood in there with the young Johnson, and hopefully the Bengals’ coaching staff can actually get some results this year.

6. Brandon Cisse (South Carolina) – No. 45 Overall Prospect

Brandon Cisse was a reserve at NC State for two years before he transferred to South Carolina last year where he finally became a full-time starter. But it’s another case of a player with explosive athletic ability who lacks the technique and discipline you’d expect from a more polished prospect with multiple years of starting experience.

But for the team capable of coaching up such a player, they have someone who could be good by 2027 or 2028. Cisse may not have great ball skills (2 picks and 10 passes defensed) but he is going to tackle with a linebacker or safety mindset and be an asset against the run.

Best Fit – San Francisco 49ers (No. 58 Pick)

The Bengals (No. 41), Saints (No. 42), and Jets (No. 44) could all be in the mix for Cisse if they don’t make a move earlier at cornerback.

But I think the Buccaneers need him too after losing Jamel Dean to the Steelers. Todd Bowles’ defense can use someone with Cisse’s explosive ability and good instincts. He just needs more coaching and to work on his technique. The Bucs used a second-round pick on Benjamin Morrison last year, but again, you can never have enough good corners.

7. D’angelo Ponds (Indiana) – No. 50 Overall Prospect

We haven’t really touched on many players from the Indiana Hoosiers after their 16-0 championship season. Sure, there’s Fernando Mendoza at quarterback, and he might have a couple of wide receivers drafted by this Friday night.

But here we have a defensive player in corner D’angelo Ponds who got better under coach Curt Cignetti when he transferred to Indiana in 2024 after a year with James Madison. Ponds had a few picks in each of his college seasons, finishing with 7 interceptions and a very impressive total of 33 passes defensed in 41 games, so he can play the ball well.

Ponds was the Defensive MVP of both the Peach Bowl and Rose Bowl. You might recall him scoring a pick-six on the first snap against Oregon:

But the reason Ponds might slip in the draft is he’s 5’8”. You’re almost stuck at playing such a player in the slot as he’ll struggle with the size of bigger outside receivers. But he plays bigger than his listed height, so we’ll see.

Best Fit – Detroit Lions (No. 50 Pick)

The best social media post on Ponds is the idea that the Rams would take him to fit their theme of having players named Lake, Rivers, and Waters.

It’s even possible with the Rams holding the No. 61 pick. But after acquiring Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson from the Chiefs, I don’t think the Rams are going to go this route on Night 2.

But I think the Lions will like a player like this who can play tough for Dan Campbell and be an asset in the slot after practicing against someone like Amon-Ra St. Brown every week.

8. Treydan Stukes (Arizona) – No. 55 Overall Prospect

Treydan Stukes spent a whopping six seasons at Arizona (2020-25), but I guess you can blame COVID and a 2024 ACL injury for some of that. But he’s finally off to the NFL draft where he has a shot to go in the second round.

He had a career-high 4 interceptions in 2025, his best season. He was also a team captain and is well known for his game preparation. Respected for his leadership, Stukes is one of the oldest rookies as he was born on 9/11 (yes, that one).

Stukes is better suited for zone than man coverage, and he could even move to safety. But he’s going to be a quick learner and hard worker for whichever team that drafts him.

Best Fit – New York Jets (No. 44 Pick)

Some crazy opinions have come out about Stukes in the last week, such as one GM saying he’d draft Stukes over top corner Caleb Downs according to Adam Schefter’s reporting. There are also talks about first-round potential for Stukes.

In the end, I’m going with the Jets at No. 44 as he does have that versatility to play corner or safety and they can use a playmaker and leader in that locker room. Besides, if you were born on 9/11/2001, it might be fate that you end up defending for the New York Jets.

Related Articles:

Tags
Photo of Scott Kacsmar Scott Kacsmar21/04/2026 - 10:43 am