Dallas Cowboys' DaRon Bland Replacing Trevon Diggs Like a Star
It has become clear that the Dallas Cowboys won’t be the historic defense they looked like for the first few weeks of the 2023 season.
That realization was accelerated by the season-ending ACL tear of star cornerback Trevon Diggs. After the Week 5 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, that early-season bar seems unreachable.
Even so, Diggs’ injury could’ve been a dagger to this defense’s hot start. Instead, cornerback DaRon Bland was forced into his old position, boundary corner, to replace him.
To say it’s gone swimmingly would be an understatement.
In the wake of the injury, Bland made it clear that he’s more comfortable on the outside.
“I’ve just got to keep my head straight,” Bland said. “I’m definitely a lot more comfortable. I’m not playing on my instincts. I’m able to be better at my techniques.”
Bland celebrates a big play with his defense.
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
In the weeks since Diggs’ fateful injury, Bland has only proven himself right.
He’s currently breaking ESPN’s Seth Walder’s chart, depicting yards allowed per coverage snap and expected points added allowed per coverage snap, posting elite numbers in both marks.
Perhaps those numbers are a bit inflated from New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones committing cardinal sins of the position, leading to a multi-interception day. Even so, someone has to make those plays. Bland undeniably has.
Furthermore, he’s posted Pro Football Focus’ third-highest grade for Dallas defensive players, behind only edge rushers Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. His 87.9 defense grade and 89.6 coverage grade are both the best amongst qualified corners (approximately 207 snaps).
If the realization hasn’t come already, it’s time to consider Bland the best healthy corner on this roster, ahead of veteran Stephon Gilmore. It seems that the Cowboys have another star on their hands.
He’ll have his next test on Monday Night Football against a dynamic Los Angeles Chargers offense.
