Dallas Cowboys' Ryan Smith Hire: Mansour Delane & Draft Implications

Cowboys Hire Ryan Smith

• 💡 The Dallas Cowboys recently hired Ryan Smith as their new quarterback coach, who previously worked with the Arizona Cardinals.
• 🎯 Smith's hiring is viewed as a strategic move that could significantly influence the Cowboys' offseason draft prospects.

Smith's Coaching Background

• 🧠 Before his time with the Cardinals, Smith spent nine years coaching at the college level, including coaching Caleb Farley at Virginia Tech.
• 📊 During his tenure with the Cardinals, Smith's defense allowed the fewest passing touchdowns in the NFL over the final 11 games of 2024 and ranked 13th in passing defense in 2023.

Mansour Delane Connection

• 🔑 A key reason for Smith's hiring is his prior relationship with Mansour Delane, a highly-regarded cornerback prospect from LSU.
• 🤝 Smith had previously recruited Delane to Virginia Tech, indicating a strong familiarity and positive assessment of the player.

Mansour Delane: Top Prospect

• 🚀 Delane is considered a perfect fit for the Cowboys, boasting a prospect grade of 6.8 and a PFF grade of 90.5, placing him as the 13th top prospect overall.
• ✨ He earned the third-best PFF grade among all college cornerbacks, consistently dominating top SEC receivers.

Impact on Cowboys' Strategy

• 📈 This connection strongly suggests the Cowboys might target Mansour Delane with their 12th overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
• ✅ Smith's expertise is expected to significantly bolster the Cowboys' passing defense, working alongside defensive backs coach Christian Parker to limit passing yards and touchdowns.