DaRon Bland Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Cowboys CB DaRon Bland ties NFL record

Dallas Cowboys second-year cornerback DaRon Bland is becoming a star.

Against the Carolina Panthers, Bland intercepted rookie quarterback Bryce Young and returned the pick for a 30-yard TD. This gave the Cowboys a 30-10 lead with 13:48 in the fourth quarter. It was Bland's sixth interception this season and his fourth pick-six, which ties an NFL record.

The emergence of Bland has been crucial for Dallas. Cornerback Trevon Diggs — a two-time Pro Bowler — suffered a season-ending ACL tear in September. Since entering the league in 2020, Diggs is tied for the second-most interceptions (18) in the league. 

Bland has stepped up, though, and exceeded expectations. Through nine games, Pro Football Focus gave the former fifth-round pick an 89.4 grade, second among CBs. And the Cowboys defense remains strong, ranking fourth in the NFL in points allowed (18.3).

When Diggs returns in 2024, Dallas will have one of the best secondaries in the league. 

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