FRISCO - Trevon Diggs has experienced a rough go of things the past few years with the Dallas Cowboys. The upward trajectory of his career saw him burst onto the scene in this second season, finishing the campaign with a gaudy 11 interceptions.
Following his third season with the Cowboys, the franchise had seen enough to convince them on an extension offer of five years $97 million. But Diggs has not been the same player since.
That has not come out of complacency. Instead a horrible stretch of injury luck has caused him to miss 23 games in the last two years. Diggs has shown his ability to be an impact player on the field though his biggest problem remains actually being on the field.
For this reason, Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski believes both sides could use a fresh start.
"Both cornerback Trevon Diggs and the Dallas Cowboys may be better off without each other. That may come across as counterintuitive considering how good Diggs has been when he's healthy, but he hasn't been healthy over the last two seasons," Sobleski wrote.
"Dallas added depth at cornerback this offseason by trading for former first-round pick Kaiir Elam and selecting East Carolina's Shavon Revel Jr. in the third round of the draft. That duo will join DaRon Bland and Israel Mukuamu, who can cover the slot after Jourdan Lewis' departure in free agency."
Adding to this concept, one Cowboys fan site claims, "The Dallas Cowboys could trade Trevon Diggs if the price is right.''
These fans also say the money saved here could be spent to sign Micah Parsons.
Where is all of this coming from?
Now Bland is a fine player and Revel is an intriguing prospect. But by no means do the Cowboys have the current depth to enjoy life without Diggs. He may not be the same ballhawking presence of old, but his game has evolved.
Diggs is the team's No. 1 corner. He is not just turned loose to chase balls, instead he is usually drawing a top assignment every week he is on the field. That responsibility not only requires the talent, but also the confidence of handling oneself in coverage.
That value and role is not easy replaced with a phone call and the exchange of draft picks.
From our NFL insider Mike Fisher, in four bites ...
1 - "There is a little bit of money to be saved by cutting Diggs. But wouldn't you rather have the player?''
2 - The Cowboys don't 'need' cap room to sign Micah; his new contract will actually reduce his cap hit.''
3 - "Exactly what team is interested in taking on Diggs at this time? If the Cowboys have questions about his comeback ... wouldn't the other team have the same questions?''
4 - The "price is right''? B/R wants to trade him for a sixth-round pick? How is that 'right''?
Here's the thing. The frustration with Diggs is certainly plausible and the injury setbacks since his contract have not helped his case. But until he proves otherwise, Diggs is a foundational defensive player for the Cowboys.
He is not in need of a fresh start. Tather, he needs to get fresh and recover so that he can get back to the Cowboys' starting lineup as soon as possible. ... at which time Dallas can make a serious evaluation of his present and future fit.
