{"id":838349,"date":"2026-03-28T04:20:26","date_gmt":"2026-03-28T04:20:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/838349\/"},"modified":"2026-03-28T04:20:26","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T04:20:26","slug":"cowboys-7-round-mock-draft-mansoor-delane-leads-the-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/838349\/","title":{"rendered":"Cowboys 7-round mock draft: Mansoor Delane leads the way"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The NFL draft is less than one month away, and the Dallas Cowboys are putting the finishing touches on evaluating the impending draft class with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"Follow nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.star-telegram.com\/sports\/nfl\/dallas-cowboys\/article315200181.html\">Pro Day visits<\/a> and prospect visits at The Star in Frisco over the next two weeks.<\/p>\n<p>After acquiring a third-round pick from the San Francisco 49ers in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"Follow nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.star-telegram.com\/sports\/nfl\/dallas-cowboys\/article315020091.html\">trade that sent away defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa<\/a>, the Cowboys now have eight total picks in the draft and three in the top 100.<\/p>\n<p>Using the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"Follow nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pff.com\/draft\/nfl-mock-draft-simulator?ref=211fa9ff-92f7-46d1-9f91-e0b492944a80\">Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator<\/a>, let\u2019s do a seven-round mock based on what could happen for the Dallas Cowboys next month.<\/p>\n<p>Note: No trades were used in this exercise.<\/p>\n<p>                                              <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"responsive-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2240651573-GI.JPG\"   width=\"1140\" height=\"760\" title=\"2240651573-GI.JPG\" alt=\"BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 11: Cornerback Mansoor Delane #4 of the Louisiana State Tigers celebrates a pass defense during the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Tiger Stadium on October 11, 2025 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Michael DeMocker\/Getty Images)\"\/>                                                                                    TCU cornerback Mansoor Delane celebrates after forcing an incomplete pass against South Carolina on Oct. 11, 2025, at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.                                                                                            Michael DeMocker                                                                            Getty Images                                                                                        No. 12: CB Mansoor Delane (LSU)<\/p>\n<p>After his Pro Day 40-yard dash came in around 4.45, the hype around Delane has never been higher. At 6-foot, 187 pounds, Delane allowed just 14 receptions for 165 yards in his senior season and has adept abilities playing in a man or zone scheme.<\/p>\n<p>In defensive coordinator Christian Parker\u2019s scheme, he would step in as a day-one starter on the outside, and his talent is high enough to where he would be a top-15 cornerback as early as his rookie season. Simply put, this would be a home run pick.<\/p>\n<p>No. 20: DE T.J. Parker (Clemson)<\/p>\n<p>Trading out of the No. 20 pick seems like a high possibility because of the talent gap from the teens into the twenties of this draft. But if the Cowboys don\u2019t find a tango partner, drafting Parker makes some sense.<\/p>\n<p>Not only did the Cowboys hold a formal meeting with Parker at the combine, but defensive line coach Marcus Dixon worked him out at his Pro Day alongside fellow Tigers defensive linemen Peter Woods and DeMonte Capehart. Parker would give a physical presence to the run game with pass rush upside that could make him a capable mainstay in the 3-4 scheme.<\/p>\n<p>                                              <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"responsive-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2191627060-GI.JPG\"   width=\"1140\" height=\"760\" title=\"2191627060-GI.JPG\" alt=\"LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 27: Kamari Ramsey #7 of the USC Trojans intercepts a pass intended for Jabre Barber #1 of the Texas A&amp;M Aggies during first half of the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on December 27, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker\/Getty Images)\"\/>                                                                                    USC safety Kamari Ramsey intercepts a pass intended for Texas A&amp;M wide receiver Jabre Barber during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 27, 2024, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.                                                                                            David Becker                                                                            Getty Images                                                                                        No. 92: S Kamari Ramsey (USC)<\/p>\n<p>Grabbing Ramsey this late into day two of the draft was too good to pass up on. Over the course of his college career, Ramsey allowed 59 receptions for 494 yards in coverage. While his ball production totaled just two interceptions during his career, his ability to play as a rangy deep safety forced opposing quarterbacks to keep things underneath with his top-end services looming downfield.<\/p>\n<p>In a Cowboys safety room that has seen Donovan Wilson depart and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"Follow nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.star-telegram.com\/sports\/nfl\/dallas-cowboys\/article315121551.html\">Jalen Thompson come in<\/a>, Ramsey wouldn\u2019t necessarily be a day-one starter, but that doesn\u2019t mean that he wouldn\u2019t play a healthy handful of snaps every week in different packages. Additionally, he could serve as legitimate competition to Malik Hooker at the free safety spot.<\/p>\n<p>No. 112: LB Harold Perkins Jr. (LSU)<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s been a roller-coaster career for Perkins, who exploded onto the scene as a freshman with 7.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles but then suffered a torn ACL and a barrage of defensive coordinator changes. His final season in Baton Rouge saw his pass rush production slip to four sacks, but his coverage ability saw an uptick with three interceptions.<\/p>\n<p>Perkins is an athletic freak show \u2014 even post-ACL surgery \u2014 but the biggest issue he faces is that his 6-foot-1, 223-pound frame doesn\u2019t pin him at any specific position. He might be too small to be a linebacker or edge, but he might not have the coverage ability to move to safety or nickel. With that athleticism, the problems might be solved by pure talent. And if all else fails, he was an electric factory at running back in high school.<\/p>\n<p>                                              <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"responsive-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2245776161-GI.JPG\"   width=\"1140\" height=\"829\" title=\"2245776161-GI.JPG\" alt=\"PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 08: Emmett Johnson #21 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers runs past Jonjon Vaughns #6 of the UCLA Bruins for a touchdown, to take a 28-7 lead, during a 28-21 win over the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl Stadium on November 08, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How\/Getty Images)\"\/>                                                                                    Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson runs past UCLA linebacker JonJon Vaughns for a touchdown Nov. 8, 2025, at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif.                                                                                            Harry How                                                                            Getty Images                                                                                        No. 152: RB Emmett Johnson (Nebraska)<\/p>\n<p>Speaking of the running back position, it would make sense for the Cowboys to swing on one on day three to inject some competition in the room behind Javonte Williams. On Wednesday, assistant running backs coach Jamel Mutanga worked out Johnson at his Pro Day in Lincoln, and it would make a lot of sense if he was the pick if he\u2019s on the board with this fifth-round selection.<\/p>\n<p>Johnson ended the season with five consecutive 100-yard games, including a 217-yard explosion against Iowa in the season finale. His quickness might need some refining going to the NFL level, but his gap-scheme ability and receiving ability would make for a perfect complement in a running back room.<\/p>\n<p>And it can\u2019t hurt to have a running back named Emmett, right?<\/p>\n<p>No. 177: LB Aiden Fisher (Indiana)<\/p>\n<p>While it remains the expectation that the Cowboys address the middle linebacker spot in the trade market either before or after the draft, throwing a young national champion lead defensive communicator like Fisher into the mix on day three would be incredibly wise.<\/p>\n<p>While Fisher\u2019s athleticism leaves a lot to be desired, his high IQ and ability to diagnose from the middle make up for athletic limitations with an extra step on breaking up an offensive rhythm. He might not be a day-one starter, but his special teams impact and reliable depth in the position room are exactly what you would be shooting for in the fifth round.<\/p>\n<p>No. 180: DT Zane Durant (Penn State)<\/p>\n<p>After trading away Odighizuwa, it makes sense for the Cowboys to add a defensive tackle in the draft. And if they get this deep into it without swinging on one, throwing the uber-athletic Durant into the mix would be a fun addition.<\/p>\n<p>A twitchy, short-area explosive player who excels in the B-gap, Durant led all defensive tackles at the combine with a 4.75-second 40-yard dash. That athleticism translated to the field over the past two seasons at Penn State, as he combined for 15.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks.<\/p>\n<p>No. 218: WR Noah Thomas (Georgia)<\/p>\n<p>After the Cowboys let Jalen Tolbert walk in free agency, there is a spot open in the receiver room going into 2026 behind CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy and KaVontae Turpin. Traeshon Holden showed some flash in training camp last season, but he will need to prove his special teams value before earning a spot.<\/p>\n<p>Adding a 6-foot-5 physical outside threat like Thomas in the seventh round would help give Dallas a big body on special teams and a specialized offensive role in contested catch situations.<\/p>\n<p>  Game schedule dates, times, locations              March 16 New Orleans 129, Mavericks 111      March 18 Atlanta 135, Mavericks 120      March 21 L.A. Clippers 138, Mavericks 131 (OT)      March 23 Golden State 137, Mavericks 131 (OT)      March 25 Denver 142, Mavericks 135      March 27 at Portland, 9 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV, NBA TV      March 30 vs. Minnesota, 7:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV      March 31 at Milwaukee, 7 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV      April 3 vs. Orlando, 7:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV      April 5 vs. L.A. Lakers, 6:30 p.m., NBC, Peacock                    March 7 TCU 73, Cincinnati 63      Big 12 Tournament (at Kansas City, Mo.)      March 11 No. 6 TCU 95, No. 14 Oklahoma State 88 (second round)      March 12 No. 3 Kansas 78, No. 6 TCU 73 (quarterfinals)      NCAA Tournament (at Greenville, S.C.)      March 19 No. 9 TCU 66, No. 8 Ohio State 64 (first round)      March 21 No. 1 Duke 81, No. 9 TCU 58 (second round)                    March 1 TCU 65, Baylor 53      Big 12 Tournament (at Kansas City, Mo.)      March 6 No. 1 TCU 63, No. 9 BYU 46 (quarterfinals)      March 7 No. 1 TCU 74, No. 12 Kansas State 62 (semifinals)      March 8 No. 2 West Virginia 62, No. 1 TCU 53 (championship)      NCAA Tournament      Opening rounds (at Schollmaier Arena)      March 20 No. 3 TCU 86, No. 14 UC San Diego 40 (first round)      March 22 No. 3 TCU 62, No. 6 Washington 59 (OT) (second round)      Sacramento Regional      March 28 vs. No. 10 Virginia (Sweet 16), 6:30 p.m., ESPN                    March 26 Philadelphia 5, Rangers 3      March 28 at Philadelphia, 3:05 p.m., RSN      March 29 at Philadelphia, 12:35 p.m., RSN      March 30 at Baltimore, 5:35 p.m., RSN      March 31 at Baltimore, 5:35 p.m., RSN      April 1 at Baltimore, 11:35 a.m., RSN                   March 17 TCU 16, New Mexico State 6 (7 innings)     March 20 Central Florida 18, TCU 7     March 21 TCU 6, Central Florida 0     March 22 Central Florida 9, TCU 1     March 24 TCU 11, Dallas Baptist 5     March 27 vs. Texas Tech, 6 p.m., ESPN+     March 28 vs. Texas Tech, 2 p.m., ESPN+     March 29 vs. Texas Tech, 1 p.m., ESPN+     March 31 vs. Lamar, 6 p.m., ESPN+                    March 18 Stars 2, Colorado 1 (SO)      March 21 Minnesota 2, Stars 1 (OT)      March 22 Vegas 3, Stars 2      March 24 New Jersey 6, Stars 4      March 26 N.Y. Islanders 2, Stars 1      March 28 at Pittsburgh, 4 p.m., Victory+      March 29 at Philadelphia, 6 p.m., Victory+      March 31 at Boston, 6 p.m., Fox, Victory+      April 2 vs. Winnipeg, 7 p.m., Victory+      April 4 vs. Colorado, 2 p.m., ABC                    2026 season      Aug. 29 vs. North Carolina (at Dublin), TBA      Sept. 12 vs. Grambling State, TBA      Sept. 19 vs. Arkansas State, TBA      Sept. 26 at Central Florida, TBA      Oct. 3 vs. BYU, TBA      Oct. 17 at Baylor, TBA      Oct. 24 vs. West Virginia, TBA      Oct. 31 vs. Kansas, TBA      Nov. 7 at Arizona, TBA      Nov. 14 vs. Kansas State, TBA      Nov. 21 vs. Utah, TBA      Nov. 28 at Texas Tech, TBA                    2026 season      TBA vs. TBA (at Rio de Janeiro), TBA      2026 opponents (dates and times TBA; one home game will be in Rio)      vs. N.Y Giants      vs. Philadelphia      vs. Washington      vs. Arizona      vs. San Francisco      vs. Tampa Bay      vs. Jacksonville      vs. Tennessee      vs. Baltimore      at N.Y Giants      at Philadelphia      at Washington      at L.A. Rams      at Seattle      at Green Bay      at Houston      at Indianapolis                    Feb. 21 FC Dallas 3, Toronto 2      Feb. 28 FC Dallas 0, Nashville 0      March 7 LAFC 1, FC Dallas 0      March 14 FC Dallas 3, San Diego 3      March 21 FC Dallas 4, Houston 3      April 4 at D.C. United, 6:30 p.m., Apple TV      April 11 vs. St. Louis, 7:30 p.m., Apple TV      April 18 vs. LA Galaxy, 7:30 p.m., Apple TV      April 22 vs. Minnesota, 7:30 p.m., Apple TV      April 25 at Seattle, 9:30 p.m., Apple TV                    March 28 Mopar Heaven      April 11 NASCAR Racing Experience      April 18 Team Texas-David Starr&#8217;s Racing School      April 18 Bubble Run      April 23-25 Pate Swap Meet      April 25 FuelFest      April 30-May 2 High Limit Racing Stockyard Stampede      May 1 NASCAR Truck Series: SpeedyCash.com 250      May 2 NASCAR O&#8217;Reilly Auto Parts Series: Andy&#8217;s Frozen Custard 340      May 3 NASCAR Cup Series: Wurth 400      <\/p>\n<p>                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.star-telegram.com\/profile\/292227800\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"author-thumb\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774671626_636_Nick Harris.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" alt=\"Profile Image of Nick Harris\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>\n                    <\/a><\/p>\n<p>                <a class=\"author-name\" href=\"https:\/\/www.star-telegram.com\/profile\/292227800\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Nick Harris<\/a><\/p>\n<p>                    Fort Worth Star-Telegram<\/p>\n<p>            Nick Harris is the Dallas Cowboys beat reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He has experience working on the beat for DallasCowboys.com and previous work experience at Yahoo Sports\/Rivals and 247Sports.\n            <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The NFL draft is less than one month away, and the Dallas Cowboys are putting the finishing touches&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":838350,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[115418,1649,436,7,115417,6,30],"class_list":["post-838349","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nfl","tag-dallas-cowboys-draft-targets","tag-dallas-cowboys-mock-draft","tag-dallas-cowboys-news","tag-football","tag-mansoor-delane-cowboys","tag-nfl","tag-nfl-mock-draft"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116304888678705435","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/838349","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=838349"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/838349\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/838350"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=838349"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=838349"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=838349"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}