Dallas Cowboys select DaRon Bland in 2022 NFL Draft

The Dallas Cowboys have selected cornerback DaRon Bland out of Fresno State with the 167th overall selection in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The Cowboys now have two more selections in the fifth round.

Coming into the weekend, the Cowboys have needed help at the offensive guard and tackle spots after losing Connor Williams to the Dolphins via free agency, who was last season’s starting left guard. Starting right tackle La’el Collins is a Bengal after being released last month after being the starter since coming into the league in 2015.

Losing one of the top wide receivers in the league today in Amari Cooper in a trade to the Cleveland Browns has left a playmaking void out wide alongside budding star Ceedee Lamb. It’s a major task to ask a young receiver to carry the load of an entire wide receivers room, so look for McCarthy and company to look for more than just one speedy, sure-handed receiver/ tight ends at some point over the next two days of the NFL Draft.

The abrupt departure of defensive end Randy Gregory to the Denver Broncos has also thrown a wrench in head coach Mike McCarthy’s draft plans, who is now forced to search for new pieces for both his offensive and defensive lines.

In 2021, Dallas focused entirely on its defensive unit and selected Micah Parsons with the first round pick. Parsons went on to win the 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award, make the Pro Bowl and led the team in sacks (13), tackles for loss (20) and quarterback hits (30).

The Cowboys will have two more selections in the fifth round, and will only have to wait nine more picks before they’re on the clock again with the 176th pick. Dallas will also have 178th pick coming up momentarily along with a sixth round selection.