The cornerback place group of the Dallas Cowboys is without doubt one of the largest mysteries on their roster. On one hand, they’ve two All-Professional gamers on the roster, Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland. Alternatively, the way forward for these two gamers is murky, and every thing past them is a superb unknown. Let’s break it down.
The Trevon Diggs state of affairs
Diggs was sensational in his first three years within the league. He was considered as a second-round steal for the Cowboys and flashed his nice expertise early earlier than a fractured foot ended his rookie season. His second yr within the league was outstanding as he completed with 11 interceptions. It was probably the most picks in 40 years, when Everson Partitions additionally had 11 picks in 1981. After three good years, the Cowboys signed him to a five-year, $97 million extension, however the ink hadn’t dried on the contract earlier than unhealthy luck struck. Two video games into the season, Diggs tore his ACL in his left knee.
It will get worse. Diggs returned final yr, however his knee was by no means proper, and after muddling by means of a lot of the yr, his season was as soon as once more minimize quick due to his left knee. The priority is extra severe now. He underwent surgical procedure once more to restore cartilage, and his 2025 season timeline to play is unclear. Moreover, the reason for this setback has been up for dialogue together with how Diggs dealt with his rehab throughout his preliminary damage, creating strife between him and the Cowboys group.
Diggs’ 2025 wage is damage assured, and the Cowboys could have given him $42 million over the previous three seasons regardless of getting restricted returns. How he recovers this yr will loom massive on his future with Dallas, as none of his remaining $55 million is assured, and the group may launch him subsequent offseason with solely a $5.8 million lifeless cash hit. This dilemma brings us to the following difficult matter, which is…
The DaRon Bland state of affairs
Bland was one other draft-day steal, solely this time coming within the fifth spherical. And like Diggs, he had a tremendous second yr within the league with 9 interceptions. He additionally set a brand new NFL report with 5 pick-sixes en path to his personal All-Professional season. How fortunate can the Cowboys get?
Final yr, Bland missed the primary a part of the yr with a foot damage. He solely performed seven video games, and his interception totals went from 9 to zero. It wasn’t as a result of he performed poorly, as he was stable down the stretch. The puzzling factor about Bland is that regardless that he was statistically sensational in 2023, there have been components to his sport that preserve him from being within the higher echelon of corners. Nonetheless, different groups may view it in another way ought to he hit free company subsequent offseason.
What are the Cowboys to do? Ought to they attempt to get a deal performed earlier than the beginning of the season? Ought to they wait and see, and preserve the franchise tag possibility open to forestall him from hitting the open market? There are quite a lot of different elements that can go into making that call and people elements embody Diggs’ restoration, Bland’s true abilities, and what the group might need of their new third-round draft decide, Shavon Revel Jr. We’ll get to him in a second.
The depth state of affairs
The Cowboys have been hit onerous with accidents final season. Due to that, seven corners performed at the very least 100 snaps final yr – Jourdan Lewis (872), Diggs (685), Bland (436), Amani Oruwariye (286), Caelen Carson (252), Josh Butler (160), and Andrew Sales space (118).
Final yr’s snap depend chief, Jourdan Lewis, left in free company. Final yr’s rookie, Caelen Carson, didn’t have a superb rookie season. This leaves quite a lot of questions concerning the Cowboys’ depth at nook, which may very well be a problem early with out the presence of Diggs.
Revel within the glory of a fallen draft decide
The Cowboys chosen one of many prime corners within the draft in Shavon Revel Jr., however there’s just one drawback. He’s coming off a torn ACL damage himself. For that purpose, he fell to the third spherical, which makes him an absolute steal if one has the endurance to decrease their expectations for his rookie season. The Cowboys are saying they do.
Expertise alone, he’s a first-round nook. He has distinctive size at 6’2” with a wingspan of practically 80 inches. He’s a menace in press protection and is bodily with these lengthy arms to disrupt routes. He additionally has glorious acceleration and top-end pace to cowl quite a lot of floor in a rush. And regardless of being a slender man, he’s a really aggressive participant. He’ll come at you quick and use that momentum to cease runners of their tracks and even toss them to the bottom. Whereas his interception manufacturing is low, he’s a pass-break-up grasp with the talents to create his personal No Fly Shavon (sah-vone).
