Giants select 'elite-level' CB in Lance Zierlein's first mock draft

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The New York Giants are beginning a new era in 2026 as John Harbaugh takes over the reins as head coach. There are lots of pieces in place, especially on offense with quarterback Jaxson Dart, wide receiver Malik Nabers, and running backs Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Cam Skattebo.

Where the Giants need more talent and support is on defense, where they repeatedly gave up second-half leads to lose games. They were 28th in overall defense (359.5 per game) and allowed the seventh most (25.8 per game) in 2025.

While many draft pundits have the Giants taking another offensive playmaker with the fifth overall selection in the 2026 NFL draft, NFL Network's Lance Zierlein sees them using the pick on defense: LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane.

Delane is a smothering presence outside with the ability to stay tight on all three levels and take the rock away.

Mansoor Delane’s film is absurd.
Relentless. Physical. Always in your hip pocket.

The kind of corner that ruins routes and lives in WRs’ heads. Absolute pest in coverage.

CB1. pic.twitter.com/hNd5iL5Eje

— Chris Cooper (@ChrisCooper_NFL) January 30, 2026

Zierlein views Delane as an "elite-level" cornerback.

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 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.

The Giants are thin at corner after realizing that former first-round pick Deonte Banks was not the player they had hoped. Last year, general manager Joe Schoen added veteran Paulson Adebo in free agency and promoted another LSU product, Cor'Dale Flott, to assume Banks' role.

They were joined by second-year man Dru Phillips in the slot to create a decent starting unit. But if any of them were forced out of action by injury, the cupboard was bare behind them.

The Giants will look to retain Flott in free agency, but they may have little choice but to snatch up Delane with the fifth overall pick, especially if he lights up the Combine and the predraft process.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants select 'elite-level' CB in Lance Zierlein's first mock draft

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