Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland to play outside cornerback together for first time in 2024
What might be the most exciting thing for the Dallas Cowboys heading into the 2024 season is the return of superstar cornerback Trevon Diggs. Diggs only played two games in the 2023 season after tearing his ACL in practice in week three. While the injury was a big blow for the Cowboys defense, there was a silver lining. The injury forced second-year CB DaRon Bland to move to the outside corner position, despite playing nickel in his rookie season.
Bland showed great promise in his rookie season in 2022 for the team. Despite being a fifth-round pick, he led the team in interceptions, accumulating five despite only starting eight games. While he had a great rookie season with the team, Bland took his game to a whole new level after moving to the outside. He had a league-high nine interceptions, and broke the record for most interceptions returned for a touchdown in a single season with five.
With Diggs making his return from injury this season, it is hard to argue there is a better duo in the league at the cornerback position. Since 2021, Diggs leads the league in interceptions with 15, and Bland is right behind him with 14.
While Diggs and Bland have played ten games together, 2024 will mark the first time that the two will play across from each other on the outside, with Jourdan Lewis or Caelen Carson likely playing at nickel. The Cowboys defense will undoubtedly be a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks this season. Regardless of what side of the field the ball is thrown to, it will be thrown in the direction of arguably the best ball-hawk in the league. To make it even more intimidating, Micah Parsons will be breathing down the quarterback’s neck in the backfield.