The Cowboys’ priority prior to the 2020 draft was a cornerback. Maybe an edge rusher was another option, but it wasn’t anyone’s plan to pick a wide receiver this early. That unexpected downfall of CeeDee Lamb forced the franchise to suddenly change course. However, before that happened, several names were being considered, including his own.
Although the fortune of Dallas did not end with the selection of Lamb, but continued until the next round. Because the Alabama prospect who could be a possibility on the 17th overall pick was available when the 51st pick arrived. That way the unit found an injection of talent critical to the future of the team following the departure of Byron Jones in free agency. But not everything was so easy for the cornerback as a rookie.
In coverage it was where he suffered a lot at the beginning of the season. The game against the Seahawks was somewhat complicated. In turn, he was burned on a Terry McLaurin 50-yard touchdown in the loss at Washington. However, this is where Diggs’ main strength lies. His resilience despite being on a pitiful defense caused him to quickly take a turn of the wheel to become the strongest piece on the perimeter.
First career INT for the rookie ???? @TrevonDiggs
???? #DALvsPHI on @NFLonNBC pic.twitter.com/Z5aTyQl8ek
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 2, 2020
What should satisfy Mike McCarthy the most is that he is not satisfied with what he did in his first NFL appearance. His three interceptions and 14 deflected passes designated him as the leader in those categories, being the only rookie in team history to do so. To that we must add that he missed four games due to injury.
The phrase marked in the title has to do with the statements made by Diggs. “I put my hands on 14 balls. I finished without 14 interceptions. So that’s a problem, ”he commented. The most interesting thing about that number is that it was not the staff who marked that number for him. CB himself was the one who was in charge of analyzing all his actions and evaluating himself in a demanding way.
But the cornerback does not stop at words, but is working to improve even more. His past as a wide receiver also gives him enormous potential. “If I could put my hands on the ball, I could catch it. I feel like they were all picks opportunities. Every time I touch the ball I want an interception, ”explained the Alabama graduate.
Trevon Diggs in coverage pic.twitter.com/m3ANFypmaa
– Jon Machota (jonmachota) July 24, 2021
An extra issue that McCarthy values highly is competitiveness. In a position like cornerback, that feature is not a minor detail. Knowing how to keep fighting each snap with elite athletes is vital to the success of any defense. “Each play is to the maximum. Provides intensity. It is very instinctive. His skills with the ball are unique. When the ball is in the air it is like another receiver ”, praised the head coach.
If there is anyone who can confirm that spirit, it is his teammate Lamb. In training they are usually lined up one against one, so they know each other well. The WR was the one who said that they always compete: “We hold ourselves to a high standard,” stressed the rising star of the offense. Both the talent and the work ethic suggest that Diggs could have a jump to become the CB1 the Cowboys are looking for.
