3 Cowboys players whose stock is plummeting ahead of the playoffs

2. Trevon Diggs, CB

I know. I know. “What?! The man leading the league in interceptions? The man in talks for Defensive Player of the Year? Where’s Dak Prescott?”

First of all, putting Prescott in this slideshow is too obvious. Second of all, this isn’t a mistake.

Yes. Trevon Diggs has 11 interceptions through 17 weeks, putting him just three picks shy of the single-season record that has stood strong since 1952. But there is a lot more to the statline of a cornerback than just interceptions. He gives up a lot of yards in between the beautiful picks.

The bulleted list below may upset or shock you:

• Diggs PFF coverage grade is a disappointing 67.7
• Diggs ranks 45th among all cornerbacks by PFF
• The average catch allowed against Diggs has gone for 18.2 yards (fifth-highest yards allowed per target)
• 45% of his receptions allowed result in first downs or touchdowns
• Diggs is tied for the most 15+ yard receptions allowed
• Diggs’ missed tackle percentage has gone up to 16.1% this year (it was 7.9% in his rookie season)
• According to PFF, Diggs ranks 98th out of the 100 corners who have played 100 more snaps at the outside corner in yards allowed per coverage snap

And…

Look. I love Diggs. I love Aaiden Diggs. I will be the first to give him credit for some of the best defensive plays of the season. But, the reality is that Diggs is a great ballhawk, but not a great cover guy. We saw exactly that when the second-year corner got absolutely burned by Cardinals receiver A.J. Green in Week 17.

Diggs’ coverage stats are a huge concern for the Cowboys heading into the playoffs. The Cowboys will face elite quarterbacks that will easily be able to bait Diggs or throw passes that simply beat him in coverage. The cornerback will need to take fewer risks in hopes of getting interceptions and try to improve his coverage instead.