Think about for a second what Trevon Diggs was up towards as a rookie. His dream of taking part in within the NFL got here true when he obtained the decision because the second-round decide of the Dallas Cowboys in 2020, however there wasn’t a lot time to delight in that second. He was coming into the fold on the heels of the membership refusing to ante up the funds to re-sign shutdown nook Byron Jones, and in an offseason that additionally did not exist — as a result of raging COVID-19 pandemic. Acclimating to the skilled ranks is tough sufficient for a rookie, however doing so nearly makes it exponentially harder, and with a defensive coordinator that ought to’ve by no means been one in North Texas.

Regardless of all of it, Diggs went on to have a breakout marketing campaign in Yr 1, however the Cowboys knew he wanted a dynamic complement and Dan Quinn did not view the present steady of outdoor cornerbacks — conserving in thoughts Jourdan Lewis is a nickel nook — to be worthy of that nod. As such, they regarded to the 2021 NFL Draft, eyeing Patrick Surtain II or Jaycee Horn as their high targets to fill the necessity reverse Diggs, however they went off of the board at No. 8 and No. 9, respectively, resulting in the Cowboys buying and selling again from No. 10 to No. 12 and deciding on high linebacker prospect Micah Parsons. 

Previous to the Denver Broncos spoiling the Cowboys plans on Surtain, Diggs was all however sure he’d reunite together with his former Alabama teammate in Dallas. That mentioned, he is greater than happy with seeing Kelvin Joseph get the respect within the second spherical, and feels issues fell as they did for a higher function.

“I did watch the draft and I did suppose that, however you by no means know what occurs,” Diggs mentioned from the second day of OTAs. “You by no means know what occurs with the draft. I am grateful for what we obtained. Kelvin [Joseph] has regarded good in observe. 

“He is explosive, quick — all the pieces. I am joyful. On the similar time, I assumed we have been going to get my man, however we did not. However all the pieces labored out because it ought to, and all the pieces occurred for a purpose. 

“I really feel like this occurred for a superb purpose.”

The CBS Sports activities scouting report on Joseph reveals him to be a powerful expertise who hawks the ball very like Diggs does, and the 2 ought to make for a powerful CB duo going ahead, and he is already begun serving to the rookie get his NFL bearings on the heels of rookie minicamp — hoping to assist Joseph have the same 12 months to the one which helped land Diggs an distinctive grade as a rookie.

“Simply maintain your head down and work,” he instructed Joseph. “Simply work onerous and maintain your head down and work and all the pieces will handle itself.”

As for his personal progress, Diggs is not resting on the laurels of a primary 12 months that noticed him overcome the aforementioned adversities and lead the group in interceptions (3) and go break ups (14) — the latter being 9 greater than second place. He was additionally sixth-best in mixed tackles (58) and did all of it in 11 begins versus 16, having been sidelined a number of video games with a foot damage that is now not a priority. 

“I really feel I can be an improved participant from final season, and this 12 months can be a superb 12 months,” mentioned Diggs. “Simply obtained to be centered. I obtained one 12 months beneath my belt to see how all the pieces is and transition into the NFL. I am excited to see what 12 months two has to come back.”

However what particularly does he plan on engaged on?

“Every thing, for my part,” he added. “I really feel like I all the time must get higher each day at one thing. So, I all the time set my ceiling excessive, one thing to get higher at daily. So, it is not one factor that I can fairly pinpoint, but it surely’s one thing that I must work on on a regular basis. It is how I am going about my work on a regular basis after I come into observe, come into the constructing.”

That is the kind of reply that helps flip actually good gamers into nice ones.