gs. SHOCKING Cowboys Blueprint Reveals SEC ‘Shutdown Corner’ as Immediate Trevon Diggs Successor.
A stunning blueprint is emerging from the Dallas Cowboys’ front office, and it points directly toward LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane as the planned successor to the struggling and injury-plagued Trevon Diggs.
The revelation comes as Diggs, once considered an elite talent, has seen his stock plummet following a massive contract extension and a series of setbacks. Since signing a 5-year, $97 million deal before the 2023 season—a contract now labeled by analysts as one of the NFL’s worst for a non-quarterback—Diggs has been a shadow of his former self. His situation deteriorated further this October after suffering a bizarre off-field injury, diagnosed as a concussion, which landed him on injured reserve and sidelined him until at least Thanksgiving.
With Diggs’ future in Dallas on life support, the Cowboys’ contingency plan is coming into sharp focus. According to a Bleacher Report analysis by Alex Ballentine and Daniel Harms, the franchise is a “perfect fit” to select LSU’s “shutdown corner” Mansoor Delane in the 2026 NFL Draft.
“Delane is a complete cornerback now playing in a defense where he can thrive,” Harms wrote. “The 6’0″, 190-pound defensive back has been a shutdown corner for the LSU Tigers, putting his top-tier skills on display in the national spotlight.”
Transfer Propels Delane into Cowboys’ Crosshairs
Delane’s path to becoming a top draft prospect was a calculated one. After three standout seasons at Virginia Tech, where he was a Freshman All-American and an All-ACC selection, he bet on himself by transferring to LSU. The move has paid off spectacularly, thrusting him into the national spotlight against the nation’s premier SEC competition.
Through seven games in the grueling SEC, Delane has racked up 33 tackles, 1 interception, and 7 pass deflections. His career total of 7 interceptions, including 4 picks in his 2024 campaign, showcases his ball-hawking ability. His performance has not gone unnoticed; he was recently announced as a semifinalist for the prestigious Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s top defensive back, and ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. already lists him as his No. 4 cornerback for the 2026 draft.
As NFL Draft Buzz noted, Delane’s transfer “wasn’t just another player looking for NIL money — this was a future pro meticulously plotting his path to Sundays.”
Cowboys’ Cornerback Conundrum Creates Clear Path
The Cowboys’ need for a Diggs successor is becoming increasingly urgent. The best-case scenario—trading Diggs—is now a long shot due to his contract and recent injury history. This has forced the front office to plan aggressively for the future.
The team has already invested heavily in one cornerback, signing DaRon Bland to a $90 million extension. They also attempted to find value in the 2025 draft by selecting Shavon Revel in the third round, a player they believed had first-round talent before an ACL injury.
However, the blueprint suggests these moves are complementary, not the final solution. The identification of Mansoor Delane as a primary target reveals a shocking and clear vision: the Cowboys are preparing to replace Trevon Diggs with a proven, SEC-tested “shutdown corner” who is methodically building a resume to star in the NFL, potentially as soon as 2026.
