Cowboys CB DaRon Bland has been the BEST Corner in 2023: Film Breakdown

In this film breakdown, we take a look at Dallas Cowboys CB DaRon Bland, who is without a doubt having the best season of any NFL CB right now. Through 11 weeks, he has 6 PBUs, 6 INTs, 4 pick-sixes, all while playing in a new spot. Bland was drafted in the 5th round last year to play slot corner, where he started 10 games as rookie. After the injury to All-Pro Trevon Diggs though, Bland was forced to play the outside, where he has excelled so far. He leads NFL CBs in ETA per target, W.A.R., passer rating, and PFF coverage grade. Further, he is top-5 in PBUs + INTs, PFF man coverage grade, yards per target, catch percentage, and PFF zone coverage grade.
Cowboys CB DaRon Bland has been the BEST Corner in 2023: Film Breakdown
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[@AtoZSportsFilmRoom]

Could DaRon Bland *really* win DPOY: atozsports.com/dallas/cowboys-could-cb-daron-bland-really-win-defensive-player-of-the-year-odds-nfl-2023/

[@kjski21]

I would say no seems like they changed this award to who gets the most sacks like the MVP is just for QB.

[@waltt69]

A fifth pick six certainly helps.

[@camodeano3003]

People underestimate how quick bland is. Not that he’s the fastest, but the control of his acceleration is definitely something

[@johnhealey6455]

With his NFL record 5th pick-6 he should be DPOY.

[@BigMike566]

Myles garret >

[@bornwinna7645]

Real Cowboys fans knew when Diggs went down, we were ok! Bland has been solid since his first preseason games a couple years ago!!!

[@jessicapoggenpohl2325]

I was saying we good move bland outside

[@bornwinna7645]

@@jessicapoggenpohl2325 absolutely right!!! He's a bigger threat outside!!!

[@patrickburk5668]

What an absolute steal

[@chancefranklin3062]

It’s so funny how you can tell a hater watches no film and doesn’t understand football and makes up their fabricated stories. It’s just so annoying how people run with said fabricated story. He is the best corner in football right now and this vid proves it.

[@ThaabBenton7491]

Diggs an bland = deadly combination

[@michaelrichardson4568]

Dont forget gilmore hes ranked top 7 also😊

[@SlammedZero]

@@michaelrichardson4568 Yup, Gilmore is quietly doing a great job.

[@davidroman1654]

@@SlammedZero You will start to see Gilmore get beat more and more with the way Bland is playing. Gilmore has lost 2-3 steps and does not want to hit anyone. And with Lewis in he slot CB, Bland will not see more than 2-3 passes per game after the Thanksgiving game.

[@michaelrichardson4568]

@@SlammedZero you know bland is tied for lead in interceptions n this stat is crazy he is no 1 in NFL in qb passer rating with bland as primary defender the qbs have a 15.9 passer rating

[@BrodyxBrown]

Next year will be entertaining some legion of boom territory

[@cnothegoat23]

Without a doubt All Pro

[@phantomgamelab]

OUTSTANDING breakdown bro.

[@Peaceandlight74]

I love how you touched on the idea that having the awareness to recognize routes and the athleticism to put himself in position to make plays isn’t everything; he also has to have the ability to make the play. I suspect that there is a gap between a lot of guys that can recognize and have the athleticism to be in position to make plays, but aren’t able to finish the play with a pic or a break up. That’s the thing that I think separates Bland. And, even in your video, we got to see several potential interceptions that he wasn’t able to finish. With that in mind, he’s likely to get even better with experience and honing his craft. He has been a great player for this Cowboys defense, and I’m very grateful, we have him on our team.

[@deenoleche9397]

Update: Bland has 7 interceptions with the omly plsyer in NFL history to get 5 pick 6s during a season with 6 games remaining in the season Thanksgiving Day vs Wahington Commanders 2023 game#11

[@Brett733]

Update: 8

[@eternaldienasty7270]

That smith TD was a clear push off but refs refuse to throw flags on the eagles.

[@calvinjohnson112]

Bland was in Smith hip pocket it's that Jalen Hurts threw a great ball if Smith didn't catch it nobody would.

[@Rockleelives777]

Thank you! I know I can't be the only one who noticed the eagles have been benefitting from so many missed calls this year.

[@calvinjohnson112]

I've noticed that too .

[@linoleos3112]

Hater nation was ecxited when Diggs went down..

[@BadKarma89]

Probably not so much now 😂

[@keithtauber4153]

He has 5 pick 6 now. 😁

[@tonybrittingham237]

Man if Diggs would have been able to come back this year and him and Bland at he 1 and 2 or even 1 and 3 and Gilmore in there. Whooowee!!

[@kendanprice6711]

i feel as though bland would've never got this chance if Trevon never got hurt.(Trevon would've been on pace to being the best db as well if i remember correctly) I guess it was just fate.

[@user-tn3bz9in7n]

Bland was already penciled in as A start as a Slot CB 😊

[@juancastaneda7153]

Bland was already good in the slot. Maybe he could’ve take gilmores spot because I still think Diggs is better

[@DeeDaKang1]

Bland was 🔥 last year when Diggs was playing

[@marlymarlle]

Football Gods work in mysterious ways. 🙏

[@kendanprice6711]

@@user-tn3bz9in7n I know that I'm just saying he would've never been moved to the outside allowing him to get all those pick 6's as db1, cause Trevon would be in those opportunities

[@kuffinauhead6790]

Excellent CB who also benefits from a good DL. Once QBs figure out he aggressively takes tight angles to jump short inside routes they will capitalise and air to the outside shoulder or inside cut and post or other double routes... so I want to see him in Year 2 when he will not be an unknown quantity. (Like T Diggs) That being said his balance is great and his closing speed is top notch... could be a future HOF.

[@daboys765]

Great breakdown, you say it like it is and don't ignore his mistakes

[@monke_biznis9918]

Loving the videos, even the non titans related ones! Keep the great work up 👍

[@Chewiepuppy]

Thank you for the analysis

[@Brazyblvd115]

Alot of ppl don't kno he was actually a wide receiver before that's why hes a bad hawk diggs use to be a wide receiver too til nick saban made him play corner back at Alabama

[@AtoZSportsFilmRoom]

Didn't know that, makes sense

[@davidroman1654]

Bland played receiver in high school and also DB. Diggs played receiver in high school but practiced in the back yard as a DB against his older brother.

[@Spartan5984]

I drafted the cowboys dst in fantasy let’s go

[@kjski21]

GREAT VIDEO

[@tsp988]

To argue your point about bad QB play other DB’s in the league play against those same “bad” QB’s and don’t have the stats Bland has

[@AtoZSportsFilmRoom]

I agree with that!

[@kennethharrison9752]

Well said

[@snypa-ck7hn]

4:52 ouch Bland took a hard hit from his guys

[@brianrolle42]

I didn’t see him doing this but I was not worried about him. You say he was playing out of position but the goal for him was always to be an outside corner. They were grooming him for that role

[@AtoZSportsFilmRoom]

Either way, his inexperience at the position coming into this year makes his numbers all the more impressive

[@DanTheMan103]

@@AtoZSportsFilmRoom He literally played 2 playoff games on the outside, if anything he was inexperienced in the slot, he played outside all fresno state

[@BNMS217]

My cowboys are gonna be set at corner for a long time

[@Outlaw2739]

Daron the Man Bland

[@jesuschristthatsjasonbourn9059]

could you do a video on travon walker? wondering to see if you think he was worth the pick

[@aaronalvarado2481]

The Mingo route needs to be flatter, he starts to drift upfield the further the cross is run.

[@EHou01]

Yeah, I guess you didn't see Seattle torch him over and over and over again. He's got a lot of learning to do.

[@21kburd]

Add one more to the stat sheet!!! 🤠

[@shneurlerman8143]

The second int vs the giants was thrown by Tommy devito

[@davidroman1654]

@@TheAbass13 Commanders not the Cowboys. Commanders do not have the defense that the Cowboys have.

[@AtoZSportsFilmRoom]

Yep realized that when editing

[@zonehawkdee2980]

can you do Denzel Ward?

[@jgosh81]

Tom Brady story on defense 💪🏼

[@Seahawks2001]

Who’s here after Seahawks put 250yards and 2tds on him 💀

[@DakotaMambaPrescott244]

If Sauce Gardner, Jalen Ramsey, Ward, Pat Surtain or any other great CB played the way Daron Bland played they would have been DPOY, easily. They would be calling them the best corner in football. Dallas Cowboys players get way, way too much unnecessary disrespect and hate.

[@theway3031]

Do you think Blan is more disciplined dick is gives up lotta deep balls gambling and I had to choose which one. I probably hard to say not sure probably Diggs maybe not I’m not sure I don’t know can go either way. I’m glad you’re both on our team though hopefully will be able to get this guy in a good contract. I’m gonna run out of money soon after we paythe upcoming salaries for some of these young players

[@braedenwilliams2853]

id say homo based on you autocorrect

[@Brazyblvd115]

At the end of the day they both are all pros

[@Stank-Reppin-Cowboys_4Life]

Actually what u said in the video around 5:47 I'm a die hard cowboys fan I have been my whole life, but what u said is true not taking anything from Bland the man is playing lights out but at least 2-3 of his pick 6s was on the QB late throws and just bad decisions. And I say that to say this I feel like Jourdan Lewis is also having a great year but he's just not getting them type of opportunities Bland is getting and to people that's watching the game it look like Jourdan lewis not making plays but that's not true he just don't receive alot of action

[@AtoZSportsFilmRoom]

INTs fool the average person into thinking a player is either way better or way worse than they usually are. It’s like sacks. So much more goes into measuring a player’s impact, not just flashy stats like that

[@Stank-Reppin-Cowboys_4Life]

@@AtoZSportsFilmRoom Bra I got chills off reading your reply because I have been saying this all year and it hurt me that people leave Jourdan lewis out when we speak upon this secondary I understand he gave up 3-4 TDs year but 2 of them was 50-50 any corner could've gotten beat. The one he gave up to Kittle that was a hard cover because they made it look like a run or screen then he snuck out, then the one to Kupp when he went in motion J-Lew should've ran faster to be in better position but it happens. But overall J-Lew done had some solid competition in that slot and he held his own I feel he need more credit

[@davidroman1654]

@@Stank-Reppin-Cowboys_4Life Hate to bust your happy bubble but Lewis is getting beat 50% of the time and it will start to get worse because in the NFL teams learn fast. DeRon Bland is not going to see a lot of balls coming his way the rest of the season. Wilson is for sure the weak link and Gilmore is not a lot better right now. DL is going to have to really step up to protect those two.

[@Stank-Reppin-Cowboys_4Life]

@davidroman1654 What u bet it just seems like that because when he do get target we already killing a team

[@kI-cq5xq]

@@Stank-Reppin-Cowboys_4Lifebro idk what ur smoking lol but Lewis is definitely the weak link of the secondary.

[@andreamaya1689]

Sauce has most definitely not been all pro

[@tony23421]

i am a cowboys fan but he has been covering wr 2s. wasn’t covering aj brown, wasn’t covering keenan allen. make him cover those guys and we will see

[@davidroman1654]

Use your #2 DB with help on their #1 guy then take your #1 and shut down their #2. Works most of the time. Also Dallas does not usually have one CB "follow" any receiver, they play their position. So if the #2 guy is your assignment just do you job and Bland is DOING HIS JOB better than any other CB in the NFL.

[@tony23421]

@@davidroman1654 i understand that but comparing him to cbs that constantly cover tyreek, diggs, or adams is just not a fair statement

[@AtoZSportsFilmRoom]

He covers whoever lines up on the left side of the field

[@kI-cq5xq]

@@tony23421he plays whoever lines up his side. 0:32 literally covering aj brown lol

[@kennethharrison9752]

You don’t crap on him for that don’t matter who he line up against if they throw his was he will pick it just like Diggs

[@user-hy1od6by1w]

Sauce Gardner? Yeah you won't get anymore views from me. You bandwagon dudes annoy me

[@Rockleelives777]

He brings up Sauce in the video.