Trevon Diggs led the league in interceptions but also gave up a lot of yards usually covering the No. 1 receiver. What do you think is best: a lockdown corner who doesn’t give up many yards or a corner who will give up yards but gets many turnovers? — MATTHEW MCGINNIS / ST. PAUL, MN
Nick: I really can’t believe this is a conversation. Trevon Diggs ties a 40-year-old record with 11 interceptions and there are people who question his work? I thought he had a great season and I really question the critics who try to pick apart his game. You can’t have it both ways. He goes after the ball and guess what? He got it 11 times! And with that, you’re going to give up a few plays, but I really don’t think there were any significant breakdowns in his coverage – other than the Patriots play. But even that came right after he made one of the best plays of the season with the pick-six. And here’s another thing about your debate – there is no question at all that he got 11 picks. We all saw them. There is a big question on the flip side. Other than the coaches who call the coverages, how does anyone truly know how many yards a cornerback allowed? Ok, so he’s playing off the ball in the fourth quarter and gives up an underneath route for 16 yards? Is that a bad play or a good play because it wasn’t 45? I don’t buy the grading systems by outsiders when it comes to defensive backs.
David: The Cowboys already told us how they feel about this question when they let Byron Jones walk and drafted Trevon Diggs. That’s exactly the scenario you’re describing. Takeaways are valuable in an age when offense is everything, so give me the takeaways. Having said that, maybe let’s also chill about Trevon’s coverage. He’s a risk taker and he gave up some big plays last year, but I honestly think that stuff is vastly overblown. He’s still a young player, and it’s wild to me how critical people have been of a guy who was All-Pro in his second season. If that’s what he’s capable of at the age…