Trevon Diggs Contract Talks? Cowboys Free Agent Preview CBs: Sign Patrick Peterson?
Trevon Diggs isn't yet a free agent. But could the Dallas Cowboys move on him aggressively and preemptively before he becomes one? And meanwhile, could cornerback Patrick Peterson's dream of playing D in Big D become a reality in 2023?
Oh, and what else do these two have in common?
First to Diggs: He's got three years in now, so it's "contract extension time'' in the minds of some. There is social-media speculation that talks have begun and that they are going poorly.
We're aware of none of that. And in fact, as we know the Cowboys general policy here - for some reason under COO Stephen Jones, Dallas rarely acts "preemptively'' in this situations, preferring to let the market play out before "signing our own'' - it's unlike there is contract-talk conflict ...
Because it's unlikely there is serious contract talk at all.
The Pro Bowler and play-making Diggs will nevertheless be at one corner.
And the other?
As it happens, Diggs is on-record as saying that Peterson is the reason he wears jersey No. 7. So there is quite an "admiration society'' vibe here.
Meanwhile ... Vikings cornerback Peterson enters free agency (again), it's worth noting that the 32-year-old has never hidden his desire to play in Dallas.
“Growing up,” Peterson said in Dec. 2021, “my dreams were to be a Cowboy. But at the end of the day, that didn’t happen … (but I’ve) still got time on the table because I still got some tread still left on the tires.”
The two-time first team All-Pro clearly has a little more left than just "some tread." Peterson ranked fifth in the NFL in interceptions with five, in 2022, along with having compiled 66 total tackles (three for loss) and 15 passes defensed.
As such, it may be said that he is as viable of an option for an NFL defensive backfield as he was when he signed with the Vikings in March 2021 after 10 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.
While Dallas and Peterson failed to strike an accord at that time, the eight-time Pro Bowler seems to be a strong logistical fit with the current iteration of Cowboys.
Fortunately, the Cowboys are no strangers to employing prolific defensive backs in their secondary. Coincidentally, they happen to have a need at the position heading into 2023.
In 2021, Diggs led all cornerbacks with 11 interceptions, en route to a first-team All-Pro selection. Though he took a statistical dip in 2022 (logging just three picks), the 23-year-old is still considered one of the top players at his position - and of course, wishes to be paid that way.
While stout cover corner Anthony Brown was to man the left side of the perimeter, he suffered a torn Achilles in Week 13 and was placed on season-ending injured reserve in December - and his contract is now expiring.
Rookie DaRon Bland performed well in his stead, earning five interceptions and seven passes-defensed.
Still, Bland, along with fellow corners Kelvin Joseph and Nashon Wright, would greatly benefit from the presence of a high-performing veteran, capable of providing leadership and commanding respect based on past accomplishments.
At 6-1, 200 pounds, Peterson has the size to be effective on the left side, which is where he best aligns. However, he has demonstrated the ability to play all different kinds of coverages throughout his career.
Peterson earned the second-best overall and coverage grade of his career in 2022 from Pro Football Focus, with 80.7 and 82.5 marks, respectively. Peterson’s coverage grade ranked fifth among cornerbacks, with his 16.4 percent forced incompletion rate ranking 19th while his 11 defensive stops in coverage tied for 24th.
We have Dallas currently sitting about $7 to $9 million over the upcoming new salary cap. (No, the Cowboys are not in "Cap Hell.'' Read here.) Peterson's estimated valuation is at an APY of $4 million - an affordable-enough deal.
If Peterson still has the pining to play in Dallas, a prospective pairing should at least be worth pursuing heading into 2023. ... though it's not as important, we say, as is looking into dealing with Diggs sooner rather than later.
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