NFL writer puts Cowboys' defender in elite group
No team can have too many cornerbacks, and the Dallas Cowboys have a great one in Trevon Diggs. His 2022 campaign may not be as flashy as far as his efforts last season, but Diggs has formed into a complete cornerback, and one of the defenders in the league. The narrative on Diggs was, and […]
No team can have too many cornerbacks, and the Dallas Cowboys have a great one in Trevon Diggs. His 2022 campaign may not be as flashy as far as his efforts last season, but Diggs has formed into a complete cornerback, and one of the defenders in the league.
The narrative on Diggs was, and still is in some cases, that he's more of a lucky player a skilled one. Well, when several NFL writers came together to list the top 25 players under 25 via ESPN, they weren't persuaded by the trolls and placed Diggs at no. 15 in the rankings.
Matt Miller on Diggs:
"Mr. Interception has been electric since entering the NFL in 2020. In 2½ seasons, he has already hauled in 17 picks. Consider that it took Deion Sanders four full seasons to hit that number. Diggs is a constant threat to flip the field with his hands and playmaking ability on the ball. He also has 48 pass breakups and a pair of defensive touchdowns on his résumé."
Diggs got hit with what no rookie wants to in 2020, an injury setback. Despite a broken foot that cost him four games, Diggs snagged three interceptions in his final five appearances, but nobody could be prepared for his second act.
Diggs would have a season for the ages in 2021 as he hauled in an interception in each of the Cowboys' first six games (seven total) and finished with 11, the most in the league, and the highest total by any player since 1981.
As amazing as his efforts were last season, Diggs felt like he needed to get back in the lab and improve his game.
“I just feel I’ve got to improve my game all around,” Diggs said back in April. “Just being a complete corner, just being that shutdown corner. I feel like I’m going to do everything I can working this offseason to take it to the next step and the next level.”
Diggs has done just that.
Although his interception numbers are gaudy, Diggs has shut down some of the top receivers in the league this season. In the Cowboys' Week 2 win, Diggs held Ja'Marr Chase of the Bengals to just two receptions for 14 yards. A few weeks ago against Justin Jefferson of the Vikings, Diggs did something he doesn't do much which is travel, and he limited the All-Pro to a mere 19 yards on two receptions.
Diggs has also looked better as a tackler in his third campaign. This was on full display against the Bengals when they had possession just before the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter in a tie game. Diggs made back-to-back tackles in the open field that forced a punt, and the Cowboys won the game on the following drive.
It's been a steady upward trajectory for Diggs, and the Cowboys' defense is reaping the benefits.
Feature image via Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
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