Author: Jack Casabonne
After losing Byron Jones to free agency in 2020, the Cowboys have been looking for a true lockdown cornerback. They spent their 2020 second round draft pick on Trevon Diggs, a cornerback from Alabama. While Diggs did make some impressive plays as a rookie, highlighted by his three interceptions, he was also the victim of many splash plays against the Dallas defense. Pro Football Focus gave Diggs a grade of 62.7 for the 2020 season. They also recorded the former Crimson Tide player with giving up 45 receptions on 76 targets. Still, even with rookie growing pains, Diggs was by far the best cornerback on the Cowboys’ roster last season.
This season, however, Diggs is more than just the best cornerback on the Cowboys. He’s one of the best cornerbacks across the entire NFL. Through just three games this season he’s matched his interception total from 2020, including an incredible pick six against divisional rival Philadelphia. Earning an 87.1 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus means Diggs is tied for the number one spot in the entire league. It’s also not the result of an easy schedule, as he’s faced Tom Brady, Justin Herbert, and Jalen Hurts at the helm. Additionally, he’s been tasked with covering the likes of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Devonta Smith.
Through the month of September, there has been no defensive player making an impact at the same level of Diggs. The NFL has noticed his play, as well, rewarding him with the NFC Defensive Player of the Month. In addition to his three interceptions, he’s also defended six passes and boasts a passer rating of 40.8 when quarterbacks target him. Finally, he’s the only player in the league to record an interception in every game, truly demonstrating what it means to be a ball hawk cornerback.
Diggs is one of the biggest pieces in this new and improved Dallas defense. Through the first three weeks, Dan Quinn’s defense leads the league with eight takeaways. To put this in perspective, the Dallas defense last season didn’t create their eighth turnover until Week 11, which was on November 22. Outside of statistics, it’s also a noticeably different defense due to their attitude. This season it’s evident the defense is playing with swagger and poise, displayed consistently by Diggs. He has gone from a rookie to a team leader in the matter of just one season.
Turning 24 years old in September, the ceiling for Diggs is through the roof. Just ask another Cowboy drafted in the 2020 class with him, CeeDee Lamb, “I always knew Trevon was a dog. … We attack each other just about every day. He wins some and I win some. … Tre looks phenomenal out there.” Cowboys fans have many reasons to be optimistic about this season and the future of this team. Diggs is one of the biggest reasons for this positivity, as he continues to look like a generational talent every week.
SPORTS ARE OUR UNIVERSE
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