Dallas Cowboys deserve credit for this epic defensive move

While the majority of Dallas Cowboys reading material is focused on the Los Angeles Chargers, some attention has to be paid to other areas. The aftermath of Week 1 is usually a who’s who of big names that got hurt and questions about playing status arrive.

One injured player whose name was in the news yesterday that could have caught your attention was Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah. If you don’t remember, Okudah was touted as the next great cornerback followed closely by Florida superstar cornerback C.J. Henderson.

While I would love the Cowboys to acquire either of those players, this front office needs to be praised for their selection of former Alabama cornerback Trevon Diggs. Okuda’s season is over after rupturing his Achilles against the San Francisco 49ers. Last season, Okudah played in nine games starting six of those contests. He started the game on Sunday meaning the Detroit Lions have gotten exactly seven starts, nine games played, and one interception.

The Dallas Cowboys got it right by drafting Trevon Diggs

Let’s not forget that Okudah was apparently getting destroyed on the sideline by his position coach because he gave up a long touchdown. That is not what the Lions were thinking when they selected him third overall in the 2020 NFL draft.

Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback C.J. Henderson was selected six spots later when the team took him ninth overall. Henderson has been the subject of trade rumors as to his desire to play football might be in question.

Some might solely blame Henderson for losing his desire but after hearing a few rumors about head coach Urban Meyer, I might not agree with his tactics but I understand. I’m sure most of us have had a boss that makes every task painstakingly difficult.

Atlanta did well as A.J Terrell is a decent-looking prospect but their fans might have to wonder what-if as they left wide receiver CeeDeee Lamb on the board for the Cowboys. Terrell started 14 games for the Falcons last season and the 2021 opener but has only recorded one interception to date.

I’m sure you’ve heard about the Philadelphia Eagles and their dismantling of the Atlanta Falcons. That Atlanta defense did not look good at all this past Sunday. The Las Vegas Raiders selected cornerback Damon Arnette and Miami selected cornerback Noah Igbinoghene. Arnette has played in 10 total games starting seven of those. Arnette did not start in Week 1 for the Raiders and has yet to record an interception.

Miami cornerback Noah Igbinohene played in all 16 games last season but is buried behind All-Pro cornerback Xavier Howard and Pro Bowl cornerback Byron Jones. Igbinohene did start two games last season but is also looking for his first NFL interception. Igbinohene was also used as a kick returner last season further proving my inevitable case.

The last cornerback drafted in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft was Jeff Gladney by the Minnesota Vikings. Gladney played in all 16 games for Minnesota last season starting 15 of those but his career is currently in Jeopardy.

Gladney was just drafted last season yet he is already a free agent. Gladney was indicted on felony charges of assault on a woman. Before the Vikings released him, Gladney was also looking for his first NFL interception which might never happen.

With the 50th pick in the 2020 NFL draft, the Cincinnati Bengals selected cornerback Jaylon Johnson. Johnson started 13 games for Cincinnati last season and started Week 1 for them this past weekend. Like most everyone else, Johnson is looking for his first NFL interception.

Johnson was a good pick as he has a bright future but this is the spot where the Cowboys deserve some credit. The Cowboys selected Alabama cornerback Trevon Diggs who has easily had the best start amongst the first nine cornerbacks selected in the first two rounds. The ninth cornerback is Kristian Fulton who was taken by the Tennessee Titans with the 61st pick. Fulton has played in seven games starting three but he has one interception to his name.

This 2020 cornerback group was one that I believed was especially deep but the first-round guys have not lived up to expectations. Collectively, this group has amassed eight interceptions but Cowboys cornerback Diggs has half of those credited to his name alone. No other player has more than one.

I truly believe Diggs is the player the Detroit Lions thought they were getting when they drafted Jeff Okudah. I know it is still very early but it appears as if the Cowboys were gifted the right cornerback choice.