Mansoor Delane
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The Washington Commanders are tipped to pass on Mansoor Delane for a "high-IQ" defensive back in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft.
Mansoor Delane looks like a dream pick for the Washington Commanders in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft, finally solving the team’s need for a true shutdown cornerback, but not everybody is convinced. Not when the Commanders could shun Delane for a “high-IQ” defensive back tipped to make a bigger impact from a different area of the field.
Passing on Delane for Ohio State safety Caleb Downs makes more sense for the Commanders, according to NFL.com Analyst Bucky Brooks. He believes “The signing of Nick Cross won’t prevent the Commanders from adding a versatile, high-IQ safety to the rotation to produce more splash plays from the secondary.”
When pressed for more details about why the Commanders should choose Downs over Delane with the seventh-overall pick, Brooks explained (h/t JP Finlay of NBC4 Sports), “Mansoor Delane is an A player, he’s terrific. I don’t know if he’s going to impact the game like a guy in the middle of the field like Caleb Downs…When you have an A level safety it changes everything.”
JP Finlay
Why does @BuckyBrooks predict Washington to take Caleb Downs? “Mansoor Delane is an A player, he’s terrific. I dont know if he’s going to impact the game like a guy in the middle of the field like Caleb Downs…When you have an A level safety it changes everything.”
This is a sound argument, but one that goes against the prevailing view Delane will be the pick if the Commanders target the secondary in Round 1.
While Delane would tick a lot of boxes for new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones, there is at least equal merit to the Commanders following Brooks’ advice and hoping to take Downs off the board instead.
Caleb Downs Might Answer Bigger Need
Yes, the Commanders have lacked an elite matchup corner for an age, but they’ve also gone too long without a genuine playmaker at safety. Letting Kamren Curl join the Los Angeles Rams in 2024 NFL free agency didn’t help, and nor did the inability of Quan Martin to develop as expected.
Snagging Cross in this veteran market was a useful move, but he’s more of a run-stuffer than a true all-rounder. Evidenced by the 24-year-old being “tied for the most run stops resulting in an unsuccessful offensive play among safeties last season with 33. Cross also tied for the 2nd-most run stuffs (10) and run tackles (59) at the position,” per Next Gen Stats.
Downs offers something different as an agile safety who can lock down the deep middle, but also transition smoothly from centerfield to wreck the line of scrimmage.
A player with this level of flexibility may be even more valuable in Jones’ schemes than a corner who can play on an island.
Mansoor Delane a Luxury for Commanders
The sophisticated, blitz-heavy system Jones learned from Brian Flores with the Minnesota Vikings can turn a dynamic safety into a game-wrecker. Jones would be able to use Downs to help disguise things on the back end, as well as move him into the box and/or the slot to enhance pressure looks and create further confusion in blocking schemes.
Increased blitzing will also put a premium on cornerbacks who can dominate in one-on-one coverage. Perhaps that’s why Thor Nystrom of SKOR North – Minnesota Sports, who believes the Commanders shouldn’t overcomplicate things if Delane is still on the board.
As Nystrom put it (h/t Finlay), “Mansoor Delane is absolutely worth the 7th overall pick…Delane Island is one name that absolutely has to be under consideration for Washington.”
JP Finlay
If Love is gone for Washington, @thorku thinks the answer is easy: “Mansoor Delane is absolutely worth the 7th overall pick…Delane Island is one name that absolutely has to be under consideration for Washington.”
Delane makes sense, but he may be a luxury if the Commanders are more optimistic than most about their options at cornerback.
Those options were boosted when general manager Adam Peters took Amik Robertson off the market. Robertson’s own versatility can lead to more clearly defined roles for talented youngsters Trey Amos and Mike Sainristil.
If this duo can stay healthy and consistent, while Robertson maintains the intensity he showed for the Detroit Lions, Jones will have what he needs at cornerback. That would make passing on Delane easier to accept.
All of this assumes the Commanders even get to make this choice. Deciding between Delane and Downs would be a nice problem to have, but the latter is already favored by one of Washington’s NFC East rivals, while Delane boasts the kind of numbers pro teams usually can’t ignore.
Numbers like surrendering just “10 completions all season for 119 yards” in 2025, per ESPN’s Matt Miller.
Matt Miller
Crazy stat of the day:
Mansoor Delane allowed 10 completions all season for 119 yards.
Perhaps Peters and head coach Dan Quinn won’t ever get to argue the Downs or Delane debate. Maybe the Commanders will instead have to settle for ignoring the warning about another top-tier prospect.