When the Cowboys lost All-Pro CB Trevon Diggs to a season-ending knee injury after just two games, the defense was noticeably devastated. The unit had the makings of a being an all-time great, and Diggs played an enormous role in such aspirations. Diggs led the NFL in interceptions over the previous two seasons with a total of 14.
But injuries are an unavoidable part of the game and minds were soon put at ease knowing second-year man DaRon Bland was waiting in the wings. Bland, a 2022 fifth-round pick out of Fresno State, started eight games for Dallas as a rookie. As a nickel CB with outside ability, Bland took 185 snaps on the boundary that season and showed he has some special versatility to his game and Dallas went into the offseason giving him more time on the outside to prepare.
The Cowboys felt they had a solid substitute for Diggs when they moved Bland outside in Week 3. Little did they know, they had a budding star on their hands just waiting to seize a wonderful opportunity from a terrible situation.
Eight starts into his sophomore season, DaRon Bland is making his case as the Cowboys’ top corner.
Despite only starting a combined 16 games, Bland leads the NFL in interceptions since joining the NFL. He’s not all feast or famine either. His 11 forced incompletions in single coverage this season ranks him second in the league. And his PFF position grade now ranks him No. 1 overall.
Bland has been targeted 47 times this season and only given up receptions on 22 of them, resulting in a jaw-dropping 46.8 completion percentage against. He has six interceptions for the season and has tied an NFL record with four of them returned for touchdowns. He’s providing consistently tight coverage down after down and still finding ways to routinely make plays on the ball.
He’s not just a slot CB playing outside in a pinch. He’s a bona fide CB1 playing everywhere on the field and is now making the case for NFL defensive player of the year.
Daron Bland intercepts Bryce Young for his 4th pick-six this season, tying the NFL record.
Opposing offenses have lost -47.6 EPA targeting Bland this season, the 2nd-most in a season in the NGS era (since 2016).#DALvsCAR | #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/HQvD2YzWAu
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) November 19, 2023
Stephon Gilmore, the Cowboys other boundary CB, is a free agent in the offseason. As Dallas moves money and prioritizes their re-signings, there’s a good chance Gilmore will be elsewhere next season. Having Bland on the roster makes that a fairly painless decision.
CBs offer greater value outside than inside so it stands to reason the Cowboys would rather keep Bland on the boundary long-term and find someone new inside, as opposed to the other way around. The best part is, with Bland’s experience as the nickel, he is one of the few top CBs in the NFL who can shadow a WR matchup with little-to-no falloff in performance.
At costs of $1,061,197 and $1,176,197 over the next two seasons, Bland also gives the Cowboys elite play at bargain prices through 2025.
When Bland was first forced into the lineup in Week 3, many were just hoping he’d be a suitable substitute on a defense with championship aspirations. But entering Week 11, it’s clear the Cowboys discovered their next great CB and are positioned to have one of the most feared secondaries for years to come.
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