The Dallas Cowboys’ cornerback room faced adversity early on in the season and had to adjust quickly.
With the room expected to look different next season, who performed up to expectations this season?
Evaluating the 2023 Dallas Cowboys Cornerbacks
The Cowboys’ cornerback room comprised of Trevon Diggs, Stephon Gilmore, DaRon Bland, Jourdan Lewis, Nahshon Wright, Eric Scott Jr., Noah Igbinoghene, and Josh Butler in 2023.
Scott remains one of the Cowboy’s most interesting potentials going into the 2024 season, as he has had the season to develop and learn.
Diggs was placed on injured reserve early on after a season-ending ACL injury occurred during practice ahead of Week 3. This left the team to shift their defensive backs around for the rest of the season.
Stephon Gilmore’s 2023 Evaluation
Gilmore was acquired through an offseason trade with the Indianapolis Colts, and it continued to pay off for the Cowboys throughout the year.
He played 93.64% of the defensive snaps this season with 68 total tackles, two interceptions, 13 pass deflections, and one forced fumble.
The veteran was a locker room leader for the team who quickly earned the respect of his team and coaches alike.
Gilmore has become a vital part of the secondary. Although he is heading into free agency this offseason, the Cowboys need to figure out how to retain him with another contract.
DaRon Bland’s 2023 Evaluation
Bland had a historic season and now holds the NFL record for most pick-sixes in a season with the five he had in 2023.
BLAND DID IT AGAIN!!! HISTORY!!!
📺: #WASvsDAL on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/N5H8Nc0xKc pic.twitter.com/tImqViPSlg— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2023
The second-year player led the NFL and the Cowboys with nine interceptions this season. This is the second year Bland has led the Cowboys in inceptions, snagging five in 2022.
This was the second time in the last three seasons that a Cowboys player led the league in interceptions. The first was Trevon Diggs in 2021 (11).
He put himself right in the middle of the Defensive Player of the Year conversation because of his historic achievements this season.
He did struggle to give up separation when quarterbacks would pick on him, but there is room for growth in this aspect going into his third season.
Jourdan Lewis’ 2023 Evaluation
Lewis has spent the last seven seasons with the Cowboys and is set to hit free agency this offseason.
After suffering a horrific Lisfranc injury in October 2022, he returned to the field this season.
He had 52 total tackles, three forced fumbles, and one interception during the season.
MORE: Dallas Cowboys Depth Chart
However, he hit a noticeable stride in the last two weeks of the regular season with an interception, a forced fumble, and a recovery.
His slow start to the season was primarily due to his recovery from his foot injury, and his performance in the final weeks of the Cowboys season gives him a chance at finding a new landing spot if the Cowboys decide not to retain him.
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