The Dallas Cowboys needed some help at cornerback.
After losing starters Anthony Brown and Jourdan Lewis to season-ending injuries, someone needed to step up.
Luckily for Dallas, they have a fifth-round pick to fit the bill.
Cowboys rookie DaRon Bland has been great this season.
Heading into Week 18, Bland is tied for second amongst rookies for interceptions this season.
His five interceptions trail only Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen who has six.
From fifth-round picks to among the league leaders in picks, it's been a special first run for @_Tariqwoolen and @DaRon_Bland 🔒#Seahawks #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/3zNTI7hKK4
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) January 4, 2023
The Cowboys’ defense is once again having an elite season at taking the ball away.
They are looking to become the first team since 1974 to lead the league in takeaways back-to-back seasons.
Usually, Trevon Diggs is seen as the ball-hawk at cornerback for Dallas.
But, teams have been targeting him less this season.
Meaning Bland who plays on the other side has stepped up and picked up the slack.
This list of rookie interception leaders goes to show how rookies drafted in all rounds can make an immediate impact.
Woolen and Bland were both fifth-round picks, while Pitre was picked in the second round.
For Bland, he did not start getting consistent playing time this year until Week 8.
He only received defensive snaps in one game through the first seven weeks.
But, since Week 8, Bland has been a staple of the Dallas defense.
Now as the Cowboys get set for the playoffs, they will need to continue to take the ball away.
It seems likely Dallas will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round.
If that is the case, Bland will have his hands full to guard a group of good receivers in Tampa.
But first, Bland will look to try to tie or win the rookie interception title in Week 18.
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