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2 Cowboys Players Who Have Surprised This Season

Originally posted on The Cold Wire
By Jarrett Prendergast | Last updated 1/2/23

The Dallas Cowboys have had a very good season heading into Week 18.

With a record of 12-4, the Cowboys will be fighting for the NFC East crown in the final week of the regular season.

One reason for their success this year has been the depth of their roster.

Due to the vast amount of injuries the Cowboys have asked for many young players to step up into key roles.

Those same players will be counted on as Dallas heads into the playoffs.

Here are two Cowboys who have surprised this season.

DaRon Bland, Cornerback

In the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft, the Cowboys took a cornerback from Fresno State named DaRon Bland.

After not playing much of a role early in the year, the rookie has been awesome for Dallas over the second half of the year.

Bland stepped into a starting role after a few injuries to players in front of him.

Since Week 13, there have not been many better cornerbacks in football.

#Cowboys CB DaRon Bland is @PFF's No. 1 graded cornerback since Week 13.

He's making a legitimate push to win DROY. pic.twitter.com/9pfSFDke4Z

— Cat (@chriscatenacci) December 25, 2022

During the season, Bland has five interceptions and seven passes defended.

He has been a much-needed bright spot for a depleted Cowboys secondary.

Donovan Wilson, Safety

Another secondary player that has been very good for Dallas is Donovan Wilson.

Wilson has started every game this season and has been dominant against the run.

The 27-year-old leads the Cowboys in tackles this season with 97, and 5.0 sacks.

For a team that has struggled against the run most of the year, Wilson has done his part.

He is comfortable playing around the line of scrimmage and taking on bigger/stronger offensive linemen.

Impressive play by Donovan Wilson to bounce off Quenton Nelson's block before searching through the trash to make the stop.

Wilson plays with ZERO fear – Nelson outweighs him by ~130 lbs(!!!!!) but DW has zero hesitation. #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/oU4GuOY2zb

— John Owning (@JohnOwning) December 5, 2022