Should Trevon Diggs get more respect for his play against some of the NFL elite?

The Dallas Cowboys electrifies their fans with their ability to boast a high-octane offense while scoring early and often.

Over the past two seasons, that narrative has shifted to some degree.

Dak Prescott and his array of skilled offensive compadres are still lethal in their own right.

However, the defense has finally taken its’ rightful place. This defensive unit is hungry, talented, and only getting better.

Micah Parsons’s arrival and the growth of Trevon Diggs earn much of that transformation.

Some will say Trevon had a lower-than-expected year because of decreased interceptions.

However, I’ll politely borrow the famous words of Mr. Lee Corso – not so fast, my friend.

There are three of the NFL’s best receivers that would contend Diggs is showing no signs of slowing down.

Trevon Diggs welcomed his first test with Jamar Chase

Jamar Chase took it upon himself to give the national media a sound bite that rang across the nation and landed at the doorsteps of one Trevon Diggs.

It was a backhanded compliment on its’ best day.

Unfortunately for Chase, his best day was not on the field on September 18th.

Diggs proved that he was much more than “a great athlete.”

I’m positive Trevon still had unfond memories of their LSU-Alabama matchup, where Jamar put up 140 yards on six grabs.

Each reception wasn’t on Diggs, but it’s still a memory he wanted to replace.

He most certainly did that and some.

The Bengals superstar was the first player last season to rent a place on Diggs’ version of Revis Island. When Trevon lined up against him, two catches for 14 yards was all he could afford.

Could you blame some of that on the quarterback and the offensive line not blocking effectively?

Maybe.

In either case, signing a check that your hind parts can’t cash before the game isn’t an All-Pro look.

On this day, Alabama got one over on LSU in the form of Diggs over Chase.

It won’t be their last time competing, but it should leave a lasting impression.

Trevon Diggs had more catches that Terry Mclaurin in their Wk 4 matchup

Players need to make it a point not to talk trash to Trevon Diggs.

He takes the noise very personally.

In 2021, there was no denying that Terry McLaurin had a memorable 50+ yard reception against Diggs.

However, 2022 was a different story, and McLaurin would have preferred another script.

In last year’s week four matchup, Trevon Diggs continued to walk with a big stick.

Terry McLaurin walked out of Dallas with two catches for a measly 15 yards and faced a Do Not Enter sign around the endzone.

Technically, Diggs only gave up 1 of those two receptions for 6 yards.

The Dallas Cowboys’ cynics will point to the quarterback play in the nation’s capital.

My counterargument points directly at CeeDee Lamb. He was also playing with a backup quarterback in Cooper Rush.

While we all love Cooper, he is not Dak Prescott, and Lamb was able to pull in 6 receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown.

Terry McLaurin found himself on the wrong side of an ascending player. Diggs is still on his way up, and this matchup won’t be going away anytime soon.

Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates his 71 yard touchdown reception against the Titans in the third quarter of a NFL game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. The Titans beat the Vikings, 31-30. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

The only thing Justin Jefferson was seeing was Trevon Diggs

Last season was tough for the LSU wide receiver championship duo from 2019.

This game versus the Minnesota Vikings was the apex of the Dallas Cowboys season.

Most major media outlets projected the “dominant” Minnesota purple people eaters to roll past Dallas without breaking a sweat.

They had a loaded team led by their All-Pro Wide Receiver, Justin Jefferson.

Unfortunately for the Vikings, Trevon Diggs was attending the party and had no interest in Dallas losing on Week 11.

This game was by far the worst game of the season for Jefferson, and a lot of that had to do with Diggs.

At this point, I am not accepting any reason for Jefferson relocating to Diggs’ island besides Trevon’s play on the field.

The Vikings have a quarterback in Kirk Cousins, that some say is better than Dak.

We’ll address that blasphemy at some point soon.

On that day, Trevon Diggs used his athleticism, coverage skills, and attention to detail to make Jefferson look like an undrafted free agent.

This game wasn’t the first occurrence.

Dallas hosted Minnesota during the 2021 season. Jefferson conjured up two catches for 21 yards and no touchdowns.

There were others on the defense that aided in that lockdown, but Diggs led the way.

When the lights are the brightest, Trevon is typically at his best.

The NFL threw some of their best talents his way, and he put them in a seat belt. I expect no less in his fourth season.