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One of the hidden defensive gems in the NFL this season continues to rise up the charts in the cover game.
On Thursday, DaRon Bland had his fifth pick-six of 2023, the most in a single season in NFL history.
The Dallas Cowboys sophomore cornerback surpasses Eric Allen (1993), Jim Kearney (1972) and Ken Houston (1971) in that category.
In a season where he was expected to get limited reps, Bland has been among the most remarkable stories in 2023.
He’s not only filled in brilliantly in place of the injured Trevon Diggs, but he could be on his way to winning the starting job long-term.
Bland is no flash in the pan
Heading into the 2022 NFL draft, according to Sports Illustrated, the scouting report on Bland was that he had good speed and length, but lacked short-area explosiveness with average recovery speed.
Those assessments dropped him down to the fifth round in the draft that year, but Jerry Jones is reaping the benefits of his services.
Bland is in year two of a four-year contract with the Cowboys, earning a base salary of $870,000 in 2023.
In 2024 and 2025, his cap hit will be slightly over $1 million, which, if he continues playing at this high level, may go down as one of the steals of the 2022 draft year alongside Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy.
With his pick-six on Thanksgiving, Bland set a new single-season Cowboys record, but his numbers suggest he’s more than just a one-trick pony.
At 24-years-old and what he has accomplished so far you have to think this is just the beginning for Bland.
His record-setting pick-six came just five days after the native of Modesto, California, vowed to break the single-season pick-six record following the Cowboys’ victory over the Carolina Panthers.
If we were to summarize Bland’s season in a word or two, pick-six would come to mind, but his campaign’s been more than that.
He also has 48 tackles, 13 passes defended and seven interceptions altogether.
Bland’s 19.3 passer rating allowed this season is the lowest among players with 25 or more pass attempts thrown their way.
Outperforming some of the best
Finding the end zone as often as he has is historical in NFL, but also an incredible achievement in other ways.
Receivers and tight ends finding the end zone is typical, though Bland is outdoing some of the best at those positions in the NFL.
So far this season Bland has more scores than Justin Jefferson (three), Chris Olave (three), Odell Beckham (two), Tee Higgins (two), DeAndre Hopkins (four) and DaVante Adams (four), to name a few.
His versatility and overall achievements should have him on the ballot for Defensive Player of the Year.