Dallas Cowboys Future: DaRon Bland & Trevon Diggs Best Cornerback Combo in NFL?
DaRon Bland rarely says much, to the point that he comes across as "shy.'' Trevon Diggs? Yeah, not so much, as he's so vocal that he makes headlines for talking training-camp trash to teammate Dak Prescott.
But they do share some traits that, looking forward to 2024, might provide the Dallas Cowboys with the NFL's best cornerback duo.
Second-year man Bland caught and ran back his fourth pick-six this season in a win against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Bland snagged a ball intended for Jonathan Mingo, thrown by rookie Bryce Young and recorded a 30-yard reception return.
Bland has now tied the NFL record for most pick-6's in a season ... and modest as he is, Bland is now essentially saying that as long as he's come this far ...
"I tied the record, now, my mindset, I'm level-headed, now I'm trying to go break it," DaRon said.
Added Diggs: "It’s amazing just to see what he’s capable of. He’s playing like one of the best corners right now. I’m excited for him. Truly happy for him.”
Meanwhile, the Cowboys were devastated to lose Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs to a season-ending ACL tear earlier this year. So for 2023, Bland - playing opposite accomplished vet Stephon Gilmore (who is 33 and is in the last year of his contract) - is picking up the fallen pieces at the cornerback position.
But what about the future, as Bland builds his career and Diggs rehabs his?
DaRon Bland
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
It starts with ball-hawking. Diggs topped the NFL in interceptions in 2022 with 11, establishing himself as an All-Pro playmaker. And now Bland - with 11 picks since the start of '22 being the NFL's best total - is doing the same.
And it's all about the ball.
Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones joined 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday and talked of the Dallas coach staff helping former fifth-round pick Bland to develop ... but there is something more.
"I do want to give our coaches a lot of credit," Jones said. "When you look at Diggs, and now DaRon Bland, the way their purpose is to get the ball. And you often hear how difficult it is for d-backs to focus on catching the ball. You certainly hear on the practice field, when it gets in the air, the ball is as much the d-backs' as it is the receivers'."
Jones mentioned how DeRon and Diggs share an unusual ability to track the ball on defense.
"Maybe it's just Diggs' natural instinct of being a receiver on the ball when he's playing in the secondary," Jones said. "But it has rubbed off on Bland. ... He's out there to catch the ball and you could see that it was mentally in his mind to take it."
Same with Diggs, who this year signed a five-year extension worth $97.0 million (about $20 million APY) to keep him in Dallas through 2028. Meanwhile, Bland is on a cheap rookie contract (basically $1 million APY) that runs through 2025. At this rate, he'll need to get paid someday, too - an issue for another day.
But an issue for 2024? In terms of playmaking cornerbacks, Dallas may be cornering the market.
