Cowboys Secondary projected as NFL's second-worst in 2025
In PFF's secondary rankings for 2025 the Cowboys finished second to last. Despite rostering two former All-Pro cornerbacks, and a simultaneously deep and experienced safety room, the Cowboys managed to come in next-to-last.
The analysis points out that both Trevon Diggs (2021) and DaRon Bland (2023) have struggled to repeat their All-Pro success. It made no mention of Donovan Wilson, Malik Hooker or anyone else in the safety group and largely focused on the decline of the headliners at CB, saying 'the prime years of these players may already be behind them.'
There's no question the Cowboys enter the 2025 season with major concerns in their secondary. The players' abilities aren't the cause for the lost faith, rather it's the health and availability of the CB room that has everyone concerned.
Diggs has played just 13 games since he signed his extension two seasons ago. His current rehab is expected to significantly delay his debut in 2025, as well.
Bland has struggled to repeat his best season as well, playing just seven games in an injury-plagued 2024 season. His play slipped significantly, but injuries are believed to be the primary culprit. Unlike Diggs he's expected to be back to 100% by camp. Celebrating his 26th birthday on July 12 hardly makes him past his 'prime years,' as PFF suggested, and many predict a great season from the soon-to-be free agent.
Based on how the Cowboys CB room will look in Week 1, a No. 31 ranking is fair for that particular unit. But to act like Bland's successful season was a fluke and to suggest he's somehow over-the-hill is madness. Lumping him in with Diggs' situation is careless at best and by no means thoughtful analysis.
Additionally, the rankings are on the entire secondary and not just the CB room so the safety group should get equal weight in these rankings. Dallas may not have an all-star safety room but they have playmakers, pedigree and playing time on their resumes. Hooker, the free safety, was graded inside PFF's top 15 in two of the last three seasons (out of a field of over 87 each year). As it's their own grading system, that should carry some weight with the website, right?
At the end of the day the Cowboys deserve every bit of criticism they get but that doesn't mean the reasons behind every criticism are valid or even logical. Nothing to do now but prove those critics wrong.
You can follow Reid on X @ReidDHanson and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
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