Latest NFL news just put millions of dollars into DaRon Bland's pocket

The Dallas Cowboys have seven players on the Pro Bowl's original ballot, including a couple of first-time players.

Below is the full list of those who made, with asterisks denoting players who are first-time Pro Bowlers:

• QB Dak Prescott
• CB DaRon Bland* 
• K Brandon Aubrey*
• RG Zack Martin
• OLB Micah Parsons
• P Bryan Anger
• WR CeeDee Lamb

Martin, Lamb, Parsons, and Bland were voted in as starters. Anger and Aubrey also led their position groups. 

Remember that instead of the classic exhibition match where players gave half an effort, it's now "The Pro Bowl Games," which includes fun skill showcases as an undercard with the main event being a series of flag football games. 

While every one of the players on the list above should be extremely happy about the NFL news, it's Bland who will benefit financially from in a significant way thanks to the current Collective Bargaining Agreement. Let's dive into why that is. 

DaRon Bland cashes in big time thanks to Pro Bowl nod

Bland is a sixth-round pick, which means he can cash in big time through the NFL's Proven Performance Escalators. You can read up on how they all work, here, but the one that applies to Bland's 2024 salary is the Level Three escalator, which involves Pro Bowl selections. It's explained below: 

An eligible player selected in the second through seventh rounds will qualify for the Level Three Proven Performance Escalator in his fourth League Year if he was selected to one or more Pro Bowls on the original ballot in any of his first three seasons. - NFL CBA

The Level Three PPE "will raise the base salary to the amount of the 2nd round RFA tender", per Over The Cap. Right now, OTC projects second-round RFA tenders at $4.633 million in 2024.

Bland's base salary is $1,100,000 in 2024. If the RFA tag comes in at the projected amount, then he'll be awarded a $3,533,306 raise. The raise clearly adjusts if the tender comes in at a higher or lower amount than the current projections. 

To put the money into perspective, OTC projects Bland to make $1.879 million in running cash through 2023, meaning the cash he's earned so far in the league. In other words, this is a huge difference in Bland's near-term financial future and it's hard not to be happy for the guy. 

Bland has made NFL history this year with the most pick-sixes in a single season (5) while also grading as one of the best cornerbacks in the league in several key measures like PFF grade and NFL passer rating allowed. His nod is about much more than popularity, he deserves it.