When the Baltimore Ravens hired Jesse Minter, they turned the team over to a defensive-minded first-time head coach, so it makes sense they would want to add a true playmaker to an underperforming unit, perhaps a 2026 NFL draft prospect rated as “a cinch Pro Bowler” and compared to former Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro defensive back Trent McDuffie.
Stud cover corner Mansoor Delane has the Ravens as one of “his final three visits” ahead of this draft, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The latter reported on Monday, April 13 how former LSU ace Delane will also meet with the Washington Commanders, along with the Ravens’ AFC North rivals the Cincinnati Bengals.
Delane would be an ideal fit for the Ravens if he’s still on the board when general manager Eric DeCosta gets to make the 14th-overall pick. That’s a bit of a stretch, but Delane has the skills to help Minter and new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver attack the unit’s biggest weakness from a different perspective.
Taking Delane off the board would also give the Ravens options regarding holdover Marlon Humphrey. The ageing All-Pro remains the subject of trade rumors this offseason, amid concerns about his hefty contract and declining performances.
Ravens Can’t Ignore Trent McDuffie Comparisons
McDuffie represents a lofty comparison as a two-time Super Bowl champion who fetched the Chiefs four draft picks from the Los Angeles Rams in a blockbuster trade back in March.
Delane being favorably compared to McDuffie is something the Ravens can’t ignore. The comp was given to longtime former Green Bay Press-Gazette writer Bob McGinn, writing for the Go Long Substack.
An unnamed scout admitted to McGinn, “It’s hard to complete a pass on that guy. They can throw 20 times at the guy and he might knock down 17 of ’em. He’s got the athletic ability that is above everybody else. My comp is Trent McDuffie.”
There was one note of caution when a scout stated, Delane is “nowhere close to Patrick Surtain or Jaycee Horn or Stingley. Nowhere close, and he’s gonna be a top-10 pick.” “Looks like he’s gonna get his neck broken. He’s ducking his head in there.”
It’s easy to see why scouts liken Delane to McGinn. And why some are concerned about how Delane will stand up to the physical demands of the NFL.
Delane is 6-foot and 187 pounds, a similar physical profile to 5-foot-11, 193-pound McDuffie. The latter plays tough against the run, despite shorter arms, a common refrain against Delane prior to this draft.
As Todd McShay of The Ringer put it, Delane’s “arm length is a red flag, he has small hands, and he is not a natural pass catcher. But he puts himself in position to make plays, tracks and frames the ball well, and finds ways to finish.”
Those traits in space are why one scout assured McGinn Delane is “a cinch Pro Bowler, that guy. It’s a matter of his instincts and ball skills and athletic ability. When the ball’s in the air he gets up. It’s hard to complete a pass on that guy. They can throw 20 times at the guy and he might knock down 17 of ’em.”
Ignoring this level of upside will be tough if Delane makes it out of the top 10. Tougher still for a Ravens team with a need for reinforcements on the back end.
Marlon Humphrey Questions Just Part of Uncertainty at Cornerback
They brought back veteran corner Chidobe Awuzie in free agency, but the Ravens still have room to add more talent at the position. Particularly after their brief association with All-Pro Jaire Alexander ended abruptly.
There’s a lack of proven commodities, a problem that would be compounded if the Ravens were to deal Humphrey. Names like T.J. Tampa, Keyon Martin and last season’s addition to the practice squad, Amani Oruwariye, fill the rest of the depth chart.
Pairing Delane with Nate Wiggins on the perimeter could allow Minter to return Humphrey to the slot full time. This trio would give Minter what he needs to recreate the scheme that helped his Los Angeles Chargers defense lead the NFL “in opposing quarterback passer rating at just 74.8 and were the only team to force more interceptions than passing touchdowns allowed,” according to Directv.com.
Minter’s unit also gave up 179.9 yards through the air per game, the fifth-best mark last season, per Fox Sports. The Ravens, meanwhile, were near the bottom of the standings after surrendering 247.9 yards per game.
That number was due, in large part, to the Ravens struggling to put consistent heat on quarterbacks. They recorded a mere 30 sacks, and while drafting a bookend edge-rusher to partner four-time Pro Bowler Trey Hendrickson would help, so would taking Delane.
Tighter coverage would force QBs to hold the ball longer and give Baltimore’s existing pass-rushers more time to get home. It’s a long shot Delane will even be available at 14, but it could happen if other teams take those concerns about arm length and an overtly aggressive tackling style seriously.
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