Cowboys’ Most Improved Player Made ‘Astronomical’ Strides in 2023.
In 2023, cornerback DaRon Bland of the Dallas Cowboys created history.
In his second season, Bland, 24, intercepted nine passes and set an NFL record by returning five of them for touchdowns.
In addition to becoming a prolific scorer in the Cowboys’ secondary, Bland established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the whole NFL.
Before the NFL Playoffs, Matt LaFleur, the head coach of the Packers, remarked of Bland and the Cowboys’ secondary, “It’s been pretty impressive.” “Those guys work really hard and have excellent coaching.” Although you don’t see many routes go over their heads, they leap a lot of routes. That tells a lot about those guys, which is something you don’t frequently see.
Pro Football Focus lists Bland as the Cowboys’ most improved player during the 2023 season.
For PFF, Zoltán Bunday notes that “Bland improved astronomically compared to his 2022 rookie campaign.” even emerging as a potential Defensive Player of the Year contender. With five pick-sixes, he set an NFL record. He also had the second-best overall PFF grade among cornerbacks.
With 69 total tackles, Bland finished his second NFL season well, limiting opposition quarterbacks to a pitiful 50.9 passer rating when they targeted him.
Bland, a former fifth-round pick in the NFL Draft, has not only outperformed his draft pick status but also established himself as a vital member of the Cowboys defense.
DaRon Bland, Micah Parsons Defensive Player of The Year Finalists
Despite being ousted from the NFL Playoffs in blowout fashion to the Green Bay Packers, the star power on the Cowboys’ roster is garnering plenty of respect.
Ahead of NFL Honors on February 8, both Bland and Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons made the list of Defensive Player of The Year finalists:
- DaRon Bland, Dallas Cowboys cornerback
- Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders defensive end
- Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns defensive end
- Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys linebacker
- T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Because All-Pro Trevon Diggs tore his ACL during a practice on September 21, Bland’s impressive season was much more crucial than his numbers would indicate.
With 64 total tackles and a career-high 14 sacks, Parsons is solidifying his standing as one of the best pass-rushers in the league.
In addition, Parsons led the league in pass-rush win percentage in quarterback pressures, demonstrating his dominance and disruptiveness to opposing quarterbacks.
“I think I put in a good fight against some great guys across the league,” Parsons told reporters, via CBS Sports. “I think it’s going to be a good battle. Either way I look at it, I understand how disruptive guys like Myles (Garrett), T.J. (Watt) and whoever else is in the running is. I get to watch those guys. I think Maxx Crosby had a great year that might have went overlooked because his team might not be a playoff team.
“There’s always discrepancies to who they think should get it and base it off of teams and things like that. You always got to deal with those types of implications too.”
Cowboys Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn on The Move?
Over the last two hiring cycles, Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has been one of the most sought-after assistants and may be close to accepting a head coaching position.
Quinn is reportedly a candidate for both of the final two head coaching positions in the league, which are held by the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Commanders, according to NFL Network.
Given the Cowboys’ defensive domination over the last two seasons and the star power Dallas has amassed at all three levels, Quinn’s standing is undoubtedly rising.
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