Cowboys 'Most Improved': Can DaRon Bland Win NFL DPOY Over Micah Parsons?

Dallas Cowboys 'Most Improved': Can DaRon Bland Win NFL Defensive Player of the Year Over Micah Parsons?

The Dallas Cowboys' season ended two weeks ago - but cornerback DaRon Bland may still be turning interceptions into touchdowns.

Bland led the NFL with nine interceptions and five defensive touchdowns. The next closest in each category had seven and two, respectively.

The 24-year-old Bland also made 69 total tackles, three tackles for loss and 15 passes defended, the latter of which ranked tied for No. 7 league-wide.

By all accounts, Bland followed his solid rookie season - during which he logged five interceptions - with an assertive second act.

Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland celebrates in the endzone after a pick-six / USA Today

Bland was named first-team All-Pro and earned his first Pro Bowl nod, with the accolades now mirroring his production. And he's a finalist for NFL Defensive Player of the Year, in competition with buddy Micah Parsons.

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On top of it all, Bland earned another title from Pro Football Focus - the Cowboys' most improved player.

"Bland improved astronomically compared to his 2022 rookie campaign, even becoming a Defensive Player of the Year candidate," PFF writes. "He set an NFL record with five pick-sixes and also earned the second highest PFF overall grade among cornerbacks."

Bland received a 90.4 overall grade in 2023, drastically improved from his 71.9 mark the year before.

His 86.4 coverage grade is third-best among corners, slotting behind the Chicago Bears' Jaylon Johnson and New York Jets' Sauce Gardner.

The 6-0, 197-pound Bland was similarly impressive defending the run, posting a grade of 90, which trails only teammate Jourdan Lewis (90.8) for the league's top mark.

Bland was officially charted as allowing 48 receptions for 691 yards on 89 targets and drew a passer rating of just 50.9.

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Now, the challenge becomes building on a breakthrough campaign - and finding a way to make seasons like this the status quo moving forward.