2. DaRon Bland, CB
It really didn’t make much of a splash when the Cowboys took DaRon Bland from Fresno State in Round 5 of the 2022 NFL Draft. Listed at 6-foot-0, and 200 pounds, he fits the mold of what Dan Quinn likes in his cornerbacks. The problem for Bland is that he was joining a crowded room that includes Trevon Diggs, Anthony Brown, Kelvin Joseph, Jourdan Lewis, and Nahshon Wright.
Even with all those names ahead of him, Bland has found a way to stand out. He’s been physical in the preseason and has turned plenty of heads with his play. For the coaching staff in Dallas, this is no surprise, since they’ve seen him do this all camp as well as during their joint practices with the Los Angeles Chargers ahead of their second preseason game.
DaRon Bland had himself a day! See this play and more on Training Camp Live w/@IamSTANBACK posted NOW!
— Kyle Youmans (@Kyle_Youmans) August 19, 2022
Check it out here: https://t.co/XTKjOYDzit pic.twitter.com/xxlFLq4REu
Bland was playing with the first team during one practice and pulled in a red zone interception to close things out against the Chargers — after already breaking up three passes according to K.D. Drummond of Cowboys Wire.
As well as he’s been performing, it’s still not a lock he makes the 53-man roster, simply due to the sheer numbers at the position. Having said that, Bland does have another preseason game to try and make an impression.
Should he continue to prove he’s ready to go against NFL talent, it might be hard for the Cowboys to expose him to the waiver wire.