Dallas Cowboys: Trevon Diggs ranked amongst top rookies

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When you’re a high draft pick in the NFL there’s a certain expectation that comes along with that. The Dallas Cowboys needed a CB1 after Byron Jones went to the Miami Dolphins in free agency. After taking CeeDee Lamb in the first round, the Cowboys filled their need at corner with Trevon Diggs in the second round at pick 51.

Although Diggs was very competitive from the start of the season he had some struggles, predictably, against some of the toughest opponents at the wide receiver position like Julio Jones, D.K. Metcalf, and Odell Beckham Jr. However, his constant progression form facing such stiff competition, has Diggs ranked amongst the top 25 rookies in 2020 by NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah at the midseason point.

Diggs comes in at 22 which is second for rookie cornerbacks (Jaylon Johnson) and fourth for defensive backs overall. That ranking mostly came from his play over the last five games. Diggs has registered 22 tackles and eight passes defended (only had two in the first four games).

The talented rookie had his breakout performance in Week 8 vs the Philadelphia Eagles. Diggs recorded a season-high four passes defended. Also, he hauled in his first two career interceptions after barely missing a few opportunities earlier in the season.

First career INT for the rookie 👏 @TrevonDiggs

📺 #DALvsPHI on @NFLonNBC pic.twitter.com/Z5aTyQl8ek

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 2, 2020

Carson Wentz is 2/2 targeting Trevon Diggs! pic.twitter.com/dXWBnhInLs

— PFF (@PFF) November 2, 2020

Diggs acknowledge to the media a few days later that his transition to the NFL was coming together nicely.

“Everything is starting to come together the more repetitions that I’m getting,” Diggs said. “I’m getting familiar with the rosters and things like that and the game speed. I’m getting better every game and trying to improve every game and learn from my mistakes, and try not to make the same mistakes and just keep fighting.”

Instead of praising his successful moments on the field, Diggs would rather focus on what he can improve on.

“I like to watch the mistakes and I like to watch the things that I do wrong,” Diggs said. “Make a play on the ball, catching an interception is great but they’re things that I need to work on to get better. I’m looking forward to getting better every day. When I go out to practice I want to work on something.

“It’s good and all, and I caught an interception but I’m looking for things to get better.”

Unfortunately for Diggs, he suffered a broken foot in the Dallas Cowboys tough Week 9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and is out 4-6 weeks and possibly for the rest of the season. However, the Cowboys new top dog at the corner position hs shown why he was taken in the second round. His background as a former receiver at Alabama gives him excellent ball skills that translate to corner. That coupled with his natural instincts makes him one of the more promising young players in the entire NFL at any position.

Ugh. Trevon Diggs was so close to having his third INT in the last two weeks.

He tracked this ball beautifully, too. pic.twitter.com/MhbJW4pjZc

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) November 11, 2020

The road to recovery now begins for Diggs. When the 2021 NFL season comes about, he’ll once again have eyes on him, especially after showing the potential he has playing the position that’s the most difficult to transition from the college to the professional level.