The Dallas Cowboys made some significant changes on their defense this offseason. The biggest being the hiring of a new defensive coordinator in Dan Quinn after only a single season with Mike Nolan at the helm.
The Cowboys clearly needed the change following a historically terrible performance by this unit. One that resulted in Dallas ending last season ranked 31st in rushing yards allowed (2,541) and 28th in scoring defense (473).
One area where the Cowboys have struggled defensively for years has been in creating turnovers. Particularly, forcing interceptions. As a team last season, Dallas recorded 10 total picks, which was tied for 23rd in the NFL with six other teams.
In fact, the Cowboys haven’t had a defender record more than three interceptions in a single season since linebacker Bruce Carter had five picks during the 2014 season. So when someone predicts as many as seven interceptions for a Dallas defender, it’s newsworthy.
Here’s what longtime beat writer for DallasCowboys.com, Nick Eatman, wrote in response to a mailbag question on the team’s official site about which player might be ready to become the next superstar in Dallas …
” … give me Trevon Diggs. This kid was thrown into the action last year and it wasn’t always pretty. He got beat a few times but he also made his share of plays, too. I think in his second year, he’ll get even better and his playing style is one that could get him 6-7 interceptions in a season. If he can do that, coupled with an improved defense, there’s a chance Diggs can take his own game to that next level.”
Although very inconsistent as a rookie, 2020 second-round cornerback Trevon Diggs did show flashes of potential as a ballhawk. The 22-year old recorded three interceptions along with 58 combined tackles and 14 pass deflections as an 11-game starter during his rookie campaign.
In this year’s NFL draft, the Cowboys added a slew of cornerbacks to their roster. Those new faces include Kentucky’s Kelvin Joseph in the second round, Oregon State’s Nahshon Wright in the third, and South Carolina’s Israel Mukuamu in the sixth round. Although Quinn quickly shifted the 6-foot-4 Mukuamu to safety.
Despite the new additions, Trevon Diggs is expected to fill the number one corner role in Dallas entering his second season and should have plenty of opportunities to get those predicted six to seven interceptions. Diggs should start alongside veteran cornerbacks Anthony Brown and Jourdan Lewis in the Cowboys’ secondary.
