As the Dallas Cowboys gear up for 2026 OTAs in just three weeks, the roster has undergone a major transformation—especially on defense. With the offseason shuffle nearly complete, it's time to take a closer look at the top talent still wearing the star. Today, we continue our countdown of the 10 best players on the Cowboys' 2026 roster, and at No. 9, we're breaking down cornerback DaRon Bland.

2025 Recap: A Year of Grit and Growth
For fourth-year corner DaRon Bland, 2025 was supposed to be the season he cemented his status as a shutdown star. After a historic 2023 campaign—where he led the NFL with nine interceptions and earned All-Pro honors—Bland entered 2025 with sky-high expectations. But the foot fracture that limited him to just seven games in 2024 proved to be a lingering issue.

Bland missed two games early in the season and was never truly 100 percent. He played through discomfort all year, showing toughness but not the explosive playmaking that made him a household name. When he was on the field, though, Bland was clearly the Cowboys' best cornerback—a bright spot on a defense that struggled as a whole. That's not the highest bar, but it still says a lot about his talent and resilience.

2026 Preview: Can He Return to All-Pro Form?
Bland's 2025 season wasn't a disaster, but it didn't live up to the four-year, $90 million extension he signed in August 2025. After two seasons of foot issues, it's fair to wonder if he'll ever recapture that 2023 magic. The good news? Bland underwent foot surgery at the start of 2026, and there's real hope that this procedure will finally put those lingering problems behind him.

If Bland can return to full health, the Cowboys could have one of the league's most dangerous ball-hawks back in action. For a team looking to rebuild its defensive identity, a healthy DaRon Bland isn't just a top-10 player on the roster—he could be a game-changer.