Cowboys 2026 roster rundown: CB DaRon Bland
The 2023 season wasn’t long ago, but it sure feels like it for Cowboys CB DaRon Bland. Two injury-plagued seasons have dulled the luster of his record-setting breakout year. As Dallas tries to get back to fielding a competitive defense, Bland returning to his former self would be an enormous help.
Background
Years in NFL: 4
Acquired by: 2022 5th-round pick
Bland’s rookie season began at the bottom of the depth chart, but injuries pulled him into duty quickly. When Jourdan Lewis went to IR in October, Bland became the new starting nickel. Even before the breakout, he established his playmaking potential with five interceptions in 2022.
Then the real fun began. In his second season, Bland set a new NFL record for pick-sixes and tied the record for most defensive touchdowns. In addition to the five house calls, Bland had four other picks for nine total. Leading the league in interceptions, Bland was an easy pick as a First-Team All-Pro. The excitement for what he could do with more experience and training was sky high going into 2024.
That’s where the fun ended. A foot fracture in training camp led to a 10-game absence. Bland returned with Dallas already 3-7 in Mike McCarthy’s final season, but helped spark a 4-1 run. But the hole was too deep: Dallas was eliminated from the playoff after Week 16, and Bland’s missed games were ultimately more impactful than his return. Despite this, the Cowboys still made a long-term investment with a four-year, $92 million extension.
Bland returned in 2025 to a defense in disarray. Like so many, he seemed neutered by the issues up front and general breakdowns under Matt Eberflus’ direction. It was eventually revealed that he was also playing through continued foot issues, which eventually put him on IR after 12 games and required surgery in January.
Contract Status
Years Left: 4
2026 Cap Hit: $17 million
The Cowboys are locked in with Bland for at least one more year. But if the foot problems or other issues continue, they have an out as early as next offseason. Bland will again count a little over $17 million, but with just about $13 million in dead money if released. Hopefully, 2026 goes well enough that we can dismiss that possibility.
2026 Projections
Role: Starting CB
Roster Chance: 100%
While Dallas has loaded up on new defensive backs this offseason, the path to a starting role is still perfectly clear for Bland. His rehab has gone well and he’s expected to be ready for the start of camp. With improved and lasting health, Band should still be CB1 regardless of how our younger prospects perform.
Where Bland lines up in certain formations will be the most interesting variable. While he started in the league as a slot corner, and many feels that’s where he is best suited, the Cowboys now have a lot of options for that role. They signed veteran Cobie Durant, who’s best years with the Rams were also in the slot, along with adding several safeties with slot potential: Jalen Thompson, P.J. Locke, and Caleb Downs.
While Christian Parker may lean into Bland’s versatility at times, the goal seems to be keeping him outside as one of the primary corners. The slot will get covered in a variety of ways, with Downs and Durant the leading candidates. Their ability to make plays will be enhanced if Bland can get back to putting fear into opposing QBs. He’s not a shutdown corner by any stretch, but his ball skills give any passer pause. If Bland can just stay on the field and perform at a quality starter level, it will be another big step towards fixing this defense.
Check out our previous player profiles from this series:
RB Israel Abanikanda | S Justin Barron | G T.J. Bass | C Cooper Beebe | G Tyler Booker | S Alijah Clark | RB Malik Davis | DT Tommy Dunn | CB Cobie Durant | OLB Donovan Ezeiruaku | TE Princeton Fant | TE Jake Ferguson | WR Ryan Flournoy | C Matt Hennessy | S Malik Hooker | OLB James Houston | QB Sam Howell | WR Jordan Hudson | LB Shemar James | G Trevor Keegan | CB Derion Kendrick | OLB Isaiah Land | OLB Marist Liufau | S P.J. Locke | FB Hunter Luepke | RB Phil Mafah | QB Joe Milton III | WR Jonathan Mingo | CB Devin Moore | LB DeMarvion Overshown | TE DJ Rogers | TE Luke Schoonmaker | LS Trent Sieg | WR Anthony Smith | OT Terence Steele | CB Reddy Steward | OT Nate Thomas | S Jalen Thompson | DT Jay Toia | WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling | OLB Tyrus Wheat | RB Javonte Williams | OLB Sam Williams | DT D.J. Withers | S Julius Wood
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