DaRon Bland vs. Jourdan Lewis

Jourdan Lewis was an All-American corner at Michigan, and was hands down a better college CB than DaRin Bland. Lewis has better natural instincts than many NFL Defensive backs. But what Lewis has always lacked is NFL speed. That is why he’s just not a viable NFL corner for outside receivers. It is also why a 6th round pick with less talent, but 4.35 speed has remained ahead of him on the Cowboys depth chart. Yes, I am talking about Anthony Brown.

On the other hand, Bland has better NFL size and speed than Lewis, and may be more naturally skilled than Brown. Bland has a better chance to be an impactful NFL corner than both Lewis and Brown in the long-term.

If the Kelvin Joseph can ever start living up to his draft status, the Cowboys are pretty deep at cornerback. By the end of this season, Jourdan Lewis, who is a good nickel cornerback, might just be the 5th best CB the Cowboys have. That’s a good problem to have.

Jumbo075 said:

Jourdan Lewis was an All-American corner at Michigan, and was hands down a better college CB than DaRin Bland. Lewis has better natural instincts than many NFL Defensive backs. But what Lewis has always lacked is NFL speed. That is why he’s just not a viable NFL corner for outside receivers. It is also why a 6th round pick with less talent, but 4.35 speed has remained ahead of him on the Cowboys depth chart. Yes, I am talking about Anthony Brown.

On the other hand, Bland has better NFL size and speed than Lewis, and may be more naturally skilled than Brown. Bland has a better chance to be an impactful NFL corner than both Lewis and Brown in the long-term.

If the Kelvin Joseph can ever start living up to his draft status, the Cowboys are pretty deep at cornerback. By the end of this season, Jourdan Lewis, who is a good nickel cornerback, might just be the 5th best CB the Cowboys have. That’s a good problem to have.

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So far Joseph appears to have been WAY over drafted.

Draft status kinda goes out the window once the season starts.


I feel like Bland demonstrated over camp he's an ascending player and there's every chance if he gets a few weeks to prove it that he's not giving the spot back to Lewis. Nothing wrong with Lewis' performances and Bland had a pretty poor 3-cone so there may be some agility issues that come out in the wash but I haven't seen it, he looked damn good out there. From what I've seen in 2022 of Joseph I'm not too high on him though. I'm getting a whiff of bust for him.

DanA said:

Draft status kinda goes out the window once the season starts.


I feel like Bland demonstrated over camp he's an ascending player and there's every chance if he gets a few weeks to prove it that he's not giving the spot back to Lewis. Nothing wrong with Lewis' performances and Bland had a pretty poor 3-cone so there may be some agility issues that come out in the wash but I haven't seen it, he looked damn good out there. From what I've seen in 2022 of Joseph I'm not to high on him though.

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Joseph seems like he has significant bust potential.

Bland appears to be more physical as well. A more willing tackler with ball skills should really help in the upcoming Rams and Eagles games. We have trouble controlling runs on the edges partly because our corners aren’t the most physical. I think Bland can help change that dynamic.

Barring additional injuries to him and/or Lewis, I think Bland will finish the season with more snaps and this will be good for the defense.

Jumbo075 said:

Jourdan Lewis was an All-American corner at Michigan, and was hands down a better college CB than DaRin Bland. Lewis has better natural instincts than many NFL Defensive backs. But what Lewis has always lacked is NFL speed. That is why he’s just not a viable NFL corner for outside receivers. It is also why a 6th round pick with less talent, but 4.35 speed has remained ahead of him on the Cowboys depth chart. Yes, I am talking about Anthony Brown.

On the other hand, Bland has better NFL size and speed than Lewis, and may be more naturally skilled than Brown. Bland has a better chance to be an impactful NFL corner than both Lewis and Brown in the long-term.

If the Kelvin Joseph can ever start living up to his draft status, the Cowboys are pretty deep at cornerback. By the end of this season, Jourdan Lewis, who is a good nickel cornerback, might just be the 5th best CB the Cowboys have. That’s a good problem to have.

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What happened to that other corner we drafted in the 3rd that couldn't get on the field? Him and Joseph don't look like long term solutions.

Jumbo075 said:

Jourdan Lewis was an All-American corner at Michigan, and was hands down a better college CB than DaRin Bland. Lewis has better natural instincts than many NFL Defensive backs. But what Lewis has always lacked is NFL speed. That is why he’s just not a viable NFL corner for outside receivers. It is also why a 6th round pick with less talent, but 4.35 speed has remained ahead of him on the Cowboys depth chart. Yes, I am talking about Anthony Brown.

On the other hand, Bland has better NFL size and speed than Lewis, and may be more naturally skilled than Brown. Bland has a better chance to be an impactful NFL corner than both Lewis and Brown in the long-term.

If the Kelvin Joseph can ever start living up to his draft status, the Cowboys are pretty deep at cornerback. By the end of this season, Jourdan Lewis, who is a good nickel cornerback, might just be the 5th best CB the Cowboys have. That’s a good problem to have.

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I completely forgot about Kelvin Joseph. Has he done anything?

Jumbo075 said:

Jourdan Lewis was an All-American corner at Michigan, and was hands down a better college CB than DaRin Bland. Lewis has better natural instincts than many NFL Defensive backs. But what Lewis has always lacked is NFL speed. That is why he’s just not a viable NFL corner for outside receivers. It is also why a 6th round pick with less talent, but 4.35 speed has remained ahead of him on the Cowboys depth chart. Yes, I am talking about Anthony Brown.

On the other hand, Bland has better NFL size and speed than Lewis, and may be more naturally skilled than Brown. Bland has a better chance to be an impactful NFL corner than both Lewis and Brown in the long-term.

If the Kelvin Joseph can ever start living up to his draft status, the Cowboys are pretty deep at cornerback. By the end of this season, Jourdan Lewis, who is a good nickel cornerback, might just be the 5th best CB the Cowboys have. That’s a good problem to have.

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Nice analysis!

It always feels like the players I scratch my head at the most in the draft become the late round studs. Seems like they struck gold at a position that was looking shaky after this year.

Proof said:

I completely forgot about Kelvin Joseph. Has he done anything?

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Excellent gunner on the punt team.

Verdict said:

So far Joseph appears to have been WAY over drafted.

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Unfortunately...true.

mardwin said:

What happened to that other corner we drafted in the 3rd that couldn't get on the field? Him and Joseph don't look like long term solutions.

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They are excellent depth at this time.

Jumbo075 said:

Jourdan Lewis was an All-American corner at Michigan, and was hands down a better college CB than DaRin Bland. Lewis has better natural instincts than many NFL Defensive backs. But what Lewis has always lacked is NFL speed. That is why he’s just not a viable NFL corner for outside receivers. It is also why a 6th round pick with less talent, but 4.35 speed has remained ahead of him on the Cowboys depth chart. Yes, I am talking about Anthony Brown.

On the other hand, Bland has better NFL size and speed than Lewis, and may be more naturally skilled than Brown. Bland has a better chance to be an impactful NFL corner than both Lewis and Brown in the long-term.

If the Kelvin Joseph can ever start living up to his draft status, the Cowboys are pretty deep at cornerback. By the end of this season, Jourdan Lewis, who is a good nickel cornerback, might just be the 5th best CB the Cowboys have. That’s a good problem to have.

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Same speed. Bland is bigger a d younger.

3rdEyewarrior said:

Same speed. Bland is bigger a d younger.

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Big difference in 3-cone though. Bland was not good, Lewis was excellent

3rdEyewarrior said:

Same speed. Bland is bigger a d younger.

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Lewis ran a 4.54 at the combine.
Bland ran a 4.46 at the combine.

At almost a tenth of a second faster than Lewis, He and Bland definitely aren’t the same speed.

Bland is over two inches taller and 10 pounds heavier, with longer arms.

Bland is just better physically than Lewis… and I’ve always been a Lewis fan. I think he’s a good player, but…

The thing that I love about Bland is the instincts and reactions that he showed both in the preseason as well as on Sunday Against Washington. The guy is a natural for the position. Some of the things that he does naturally are things that DB coaches want you to learn to do. He didn’t have great coaching in his career… these are mostly things that he just does the right way. He should continue to I,prove by leaps and bounds as he get top notch coaching for the first time in his life.

I was zero surprised when he played great and got an interception in his first real game action. None of what he’s done has been flukey at all. He has just done everything right and played very well, from his coverage and hands to his feet and reaction time. When you hear the term click-and-close, you should think of Bland because he does it instantly and has since day 1.

The only thing I saw that wasn’t amazing from a late round pick was him not turning and looking for the ball on a deep route. The coaches will have him doing that soon if he’s not already.

The whole thing is amazing to me. To see him coming in and playing so well in nearly all aspects is just mind blowing. I played DB my whole football career and when I first saw him in the Denver PS game, he looked more like a 5 year vet than a late round rookie. It is amazing.

Which leads me to one other observation: Al Harris is a really, really good coach. He has all these guys playing like he did in his great career. We need to make sure he stays because he’s doing a phenomenal job.

DanA said:

Big difference in 3-cone though. Bland was not good, Lewis was excellent

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I know but it doesn’t really look that way on the field. Bland closes in a flash, but we do know that quickness is one of Jourdan’s best traits.

All I can figure is that Bland didn’t have great training for the 3 cone drill and just didn’t really nail it at the combine… because he doesn’t appear to lack quickness at all. His reactions are immediate and sudden.

Here we go @TheMarathonContinues lol

stilltheguru said:

Here we go @TheMarathonContinues lol

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We knew it was coming lol……like clock work. I mean between Lewis, Dak, Schultz, Zeke and Tyron? If fans had their way we wouldn’t even be able to field a team lol.

I may be the only one, however something rubs me the wrong way about Kelvin Joseph on his PR/KR. He always seems to get into the opposing players bubble. He's a penalty always waiting to happen.

AsthmaField said:

I know but it doesn’t really look that way on the field. Bland closes in a flash, but we do know that quickness is one of Jourdan’s best traits.

All I can figure is that Bland didn’t have great training for the 3 cone drill and just didn’t really nail it at the combine… because he doesn’t appear to lack quickness at all. His reactions are immediate and sudden.

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I don't disagree. Any perceived lack of agility based on his 3-cone doesn't appear on the field from what I've seen. Also, I don't think Bland went to the combine, I think that was his pro-day time which is pretty similar to Jourdan Lewis' (4.47).....no doubt assisted by downhill tracks and all those cheap little pro-day tricks