'I'm A Playmaker!' Dallas Cowboys' DaRon Bland Posts Surprising NFL Rating Among Cornerbacks

'I'm A Playmaker!' Dallas Cowboys' DaRon Bland Posts Surprising NFL Rating Among Cornerbacks

FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys' defense has at times been suffocating, and at times looked like Swiss cheese. But overall? The season-ending injury to No. 1 corner Trevon Diggs back in September has tested the depth of the secondary, and as is often the case, the "next man up" mentality has benefitted the Cowboys in the form of corner DaRon Bland.

Bland stepped in after Diggs tore his ACL during practice the day after his 25th birthday on Sept. 21. And rather astoundingly, Diggs' injury hasn't hampered the defense as some thought it might. 

As a matter of fact, Bland is outperforming any expectations following Digg's departure to the point of posting the second-lowest passer rating this season per Pick 6.

Said teammate Micah Parsons: "He has answered the call every time we've asked him to step up.''

DaRon Bland / USA Today

Bland has registered a 37.0, better than all other corners in the league except for the Saints' Paulson Adebo, who posted a 33.0.

The former fifth-round pick from Fresno State has posted 29 tackles with 24 solo, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit, four interceptions and three touchdowns. He's also been an anchor of the Cowboys' defense that while not as dominating as last season, has still proven to be the strength of the club in 2023. 

Dallas leads the league in interceptions returned for touchdowns with three, and Bland has been responsible for all of them.

"I can be another playmaker,'' Bland said. "We lost one playmaker (in Diggs), but it could easily be any one of our days." 

With the NFC East crown getting farther away in terms of a realistic shot for 5-3 Dallas to catch the 8-1 Eagles, the Cowboys still have sights set on a third straight playoff appearance. Bland and the depth of the Dallas defense could play a big part in the success or failure of the team in the remaining nine matchups.