If you’re a bit late to the party for the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year voting, you should be adding the name “DaRon Bland” to your list. The second-year fifth-round pick out of Fresno State has been taking interceptions to the house at a record pace this season, and he set the league record for a single season with five — the fifth coming against Sam Howell and the Washington Commanders in a 45-10 win.
There was just 4:50 left in Dallas’ eventual 45-10 blowout, and Bland put the cherry on top of the win by jumping this speed out from Howell to receiver Jahan Dotson, taking it for a 63-yard touchdown.
That pick-six put Bland’s total at five for the season, breaking the record he formerly shared with Eric Allen of the Philadelphia Eagles (1993), Jim Kearney of the Kansas City Chiefs (1972), and Ken Houston of the Houston Oilers (1971).
Bland also leads the league with seven interceptions and 209 return yards.
That’s all impressive, but it’s important to also note that Bland isn’t one of those boom-and-bust cornerbacks who will make big plays for his defense, while allowing an equivalent number of big plays for opposing offenses. For the season, he’s allowed 31 completions on 59 attempts for 353 yards, 102 yards after the catch, one touchdown, those seven interceptions, six pass-breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 36.9. Of all NFL cornerbacks taking at least 50% of their teams’ snaps this season, no cornerback has allowed a lower passer rating — Paulson Adebo of the New Orleans Saints ranks second at 41.3.
The Commanders targeted Bland more than any other team had this season, and in the end, they regretted it. When you watch Bland’s tape through his second NFL season, it’s clear that he’s about a lot more than just pick-sixes — he’s becoming a legitimate shutdown cornerback.
Closing speed and correctness.
Perhaps the key attribute Bland brings to the field at this point in his career is an outstanding sense of when to wait and when to pounce when opposing quarterbacks are throwing the ball. His first pick-six of the season came in Week 1 against the New York Giants, when he got hold of a ball that was tipped in the air from Daniel Jones to Saquon Barkley after cornerback Trevon Diggs lowered the boom. It’s a “right place/right time” play, but it’s important to be in the right place.
Bland might have six pick-sixes at this point; he nearly missed another one against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6. Bland had the backpedal on receiver Josh Palmer on Palmer’s in-cut, waited, and then jumped it for the deflection. Missed it by that much, as Maxwell Smart used to say.
Here’s another deflection caused by Bland’s excellent timing; a Brock Purdy throw to 49ers receiver Ronnie Bell in Week 5. Bland’s closing speed and aggressiveness were on display once again.
Being aggressive without losing your head.
Speaking of aggressiveness… On this prevention of a Keenan Allen touchdown against the Chargers, watch how Bland pushes Josh Palmer five yards in the wrong direction (for Palmer) before recovering to help make the tackle on Allen. Bland is able and willing to use his 6-foot-0, 197-pound frame to stop receivers from doing what they’d prefer to do.
A.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles is one of the NFL’s most difficult receivers to press aggressively because he can work so well through defenders, but Bland had him on lock to the boundary here.
Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams is just as tough to press in his own ways — Kupp is a route wizard who can generally tie bigger cornerbacks in knots with his angular precision. But on this two-yard completion from Matthew Stafford in Week 8, Kupp had nothing after the catch, as Bland was all over him.
The combination of aggression and technique is common among the league’s best pass defenders, and Bland has entered that discussion.
Where Bland can get even better.
Sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes the bear eats you. For whatever reason, Bland was directed to play off coverage a ton against the Commanders, and overall, he allowed nine catches on 12 targets for 122 yards, 41 yards after the catch, and an opponent passer rating of 72.2. As was the case on this 30-yard catch by Curtis Samuel on a throw from Sam Howell, Bland can still get a bit twisted up at times in the short-area recovery process. He’s generally better when he can line up right on the receiver and follow him through.
Tutu Atwell of the Rams zapped Bland on this 20-yard catch — again in off coverage. Bland thought that he would need to carry Atwell vertically, and Atwell made a fine adjustment inside.
We’re picking nits here, though — overall, Bland has shown a ton this season outside of the touchdowns.
Bland's teammates and coaches are impressed.
Bland’s ascent this season has been especially important for the Cowboys, because cornerback Trevon Diggs has been out since Week 2 with a torn ACL and Diggs will be out for the rest of the season, regardless of how far the team advances in the postseason.
“I can promise you he’s not satisfied with the five [pick-sixes] he has now,” Dak Prescott said of Bland after the Commanders game. “He’s a hell of a competitor, and he’s gonna extend this thing one way or another.”
Head coach Mike McCarthy was similarly impressed after the Rams game.
“He’s super instinctive and has great ball skills. He’s so consistent for a young player. Not only what he’s done this year but also last year. He’s going to play a long time.”
Of that, there is no doubt. Now, it’s just about how much better DaRon Bland can be. Right now, it looks as if the sky’s the limit.
