Cowboys' DaRon Bland Misses Practice For Lovely Reason But Dallas Should Still Sign This Free Agent Cornerback

With Jordan Lewis signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason, and Trevon Diggs dealing with both an injury and ongoing issues with owner Jerry Jones, the cornerback position has become a major question mark heading into the 2025 campaign. With DaRon Bland as one of the only healthy veteran corners on the roster, the Cowboys will likely need to add experienced help, which is why they’re projected as a top landing spot for eight-year veteran cornerback Mike Hilton.

And we'd support the idea ... if only the Joneses could get the money right.

As of Wednesday at Cowboys camp in Oxnard? It so happens that Bland was absent due to the birth of his child - a lovely excuse.

But even with Bland back ... just how lovely does this secondary look?

Mike Hilton entered the league as a sleeper, going undrafted in 2016, but quickly made a name for himself with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Starting his career earning just over $500,000, but by 2021 he had secured a $24 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency.

Hilton has never been a household name, but he has been a consistent starter on several excellent Steelers and Bengals teams — including the 2021 Bengals squad that reached the Super Bowl. His track record as a reliable, battle-tested corner makes him an attractive option for any team in need of experience and leadership in the secondary, especially given his versatility to cover both the slot and outside receivers effectively.

The Cowboys’ cornerback group currently faces a challenging mix of factors: a small number of veterans, a wave of inexperienced young players (including rookies and injury concerns affecting both). That reality makes it clear the team needs more depth and proven leadership in the secondary. Hilton would bring both, capable of starting in Week 1 while also guiding young talent like third-round pick Shavon Revel Jr. If the unit can get healthy, a combination of Diggs, Bland, and Hilton could give the Cowboys a dangerous, shutdown trio on the back end.

However, Dallas isn’t the only team that should be interested. Hilton is currently one of the most sought-after free agents still available, and it’s surprising to us that no team has yet struck a deal with him. The Las Vegas Raiders are also reportedly in the mix, given their own struggles in the secondary.

With the combination of injuries, free-agent losses, and unproven talent at cornerback, Hilton could very well be the answer for Dallas. But with his last contract worth $24 million, the cost of signing him could be steep — and as we’ve seen this offseason with Micah Parsons, owner Jerry Jones might be cautious about where he spends his money.