Cowboys have a new D.P.O.Y. candidate eight weeks into the 2023 season
Ask any Dallas Cowboys fan prior to the season if there is one play who has a shot to win Defensive Player of the Year, who is it? The answer is a resounding one: Superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons. And while Micah is having a great year, one other player is making his own case […]
Ask any Dallas Cowboys fan prior to the season if there is one play who has a shot to win Defensive Player of the Year, who is it?
The answer is a resounding one: Superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons.
And while Micah is having a great year, one other player is making his own case for the award.
That player is second-year cornerback DaRon Bland, who has three (yes, three) pick-sixes on the year following the Cowboys' win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 8. To put in perspective how crazy that is, look at this wild stat from Pro Football Focus:
At three, Bland is one shy of tying the NFL single-season record for most interceptions returned for touchdowns in a single season. He already made franchise history with the Cowboys, a he's the only defensive back ever to score three interception return touchdowns.
On the season Bland has four interceptions, with two more being dropped interceptions, and eight forced incompletions (tied for 5th in the NFL), he has scored more touchdowns than he has allowed (0), oh and he leads all Cowboy players in touchdowns, as he's tied with CeeDee Lamb at three.
The season he is having is easily worth first-team All-Pro consideration.
If he continues this pace, he will force his way into the Defensive Player of the Year conversation, as well.
Now granted, it's worth noting that winning that award is tough as a cornerback. There are a few exceptions, like Stephon Gilmore in 2019. For the most part, the award goes to pass rushers, specifically those who get sacks. It's what voters really care about.
Heck, when Trevon Diggs got 11 picks in one year, he didn't get serious DPOY consideration. For Bland to do this, he needs to keep his foot on the gas. And maybe rack up some more defensive scores.
