Another downfall for the Dallas Cowboys in PFF.
The defensive backs for the Dallas Cowboys are still receiving criticism.
It didn’t take long to substantiate my claim that NFL reporters and fans alike fail to give the Dallas Cowboys secondary the credit they merit.
This time, John Kosko of PFF did not place the Cowboys’ secondary among the top 10 in the NFL. Dallas’ secondary was rated by him as the 13th-best in the NFL.
“The Cowboys dropping out of the top 10 might surprise some, but cornerback Stephon Gilmore is still a free agent as of this writing and will be a big loss,” Kosko said. Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland, two excellent cornerbacks, are as boom-or-bust as they come at the position; they forfeit a lot of separation and big plays in exchange for the interception. Even though it works out well for them overall, the negative aspects hurt them in terms of ratings and rankings.”
Let’s examine the Dallas Cowboys’ secondary and discover why it is so unexpected that they are ranked outside of the top 10 by Pro Football Focus (PFF). The Cowboys, who were placed sixth the year before, are now ranked 13th in PFF’s annual projected rankings for the 2024 season. This is the confusing thing about this ranking.
DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs have proven to be excellent secondary playmakers. Diggs and Bland have been the NFL’s top two interceptions overall since 2021. Even though he missed a large chunk of the previous campaign, Diggs has led the league in interceptions since 2021.
They are two of the greatest players in the league and have both been selected to the first team of the All-Pro team. Their trio of cornerbacks is among the best in the NFL when Jourdan Lewis is added to the slot.
Security The addition of Malik Hooker to the Cowboys defensive backfield has proven to be beneficial. He is a valuable asset in the deep part of their secondary due to his range and coverage abilities. Despite his earlier struggles with injuries, Hooker has been a reliable contributor for the Cowboys since signing a contract in 2021.
Despite his ups and downs, Donovan Wilson has been a reliable performer for Dallas at safety. Over the previous four years, he has started forty-three games and added toughness and physicality to their defense. He makes a big impact when he’s well.
Though they are by no means a problem, their safety may not be the team’s strongest suit.
It is unexpected that PFF ranked the Cowboys secondary outside of the top 10 given Diggs and Bland’s playmaking prowess and the reliable play of their safeties.
In 2024, the Cowboys will need to reaffirm to everyone just how exceptional their backup is.
