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Cowboys offseason: Reasons to be positive - Micah Parsons

May 24, 2024
NFC Wild Card Playoffs - Green Bay Packers v Dallas Cowboys
Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images

What is something positive you think about the Cowboys right now?

It’s the 2021 NFL Draft and the Dallas Cowboys are on the clock in the first round. Everyone knows the Cowboys want a cornerback but a run on the position before the Cowboys pick left the front office scrambling. They trade down with the Philadelphia Eagles and take Penn States off-ball linebacker Micah Parsons. The pick immediately sparked wild takes and conversations but there was no doubt Parsons wanted to be a Cowboy.

In his rookie year, Parsons was immediately electrifying and everyone asked the question from the start of training camp whether he’s a linebacker or defensive end. The speed and acceleration was undeniable and the way Parsons could bend around the edge was insane. Most pass rushers are taught how to bend and maintain their speed, it’s not an easy thing to do. His rookie season was insanely productive finishing with 67 pressures, 13 sacks, 84 total tackles and 20 tackles for loss (third-most in the NFL). He was named All-Pro and was off to his first Pro Bowl. After much debate, Parsons was named defensive rookie of the year, some saying he should have won the rookie of the year award outright.

Parsons’ sophomore year in the NFL was met with higher expectations now that he set the standard and he didn’t fail to deliver. The first week against Tampa Bay was a bad game as the Buccaneers were gliding through the game and Cowboys fans watched in horror as Dak Prescott injured him thumb. The Dak injury overshadowed Micah Parsons game of six pressures, two sacks, three tackles and three defensive stops. It was quite the start for Parsons and the following week he would have one of his most complete games against Cincinnati with eight pressures, two sacks and two defensive stops. The buzz was soon back on Parsons as he continued where the 2021 season ended. He broke his previous season’s record in pressures with a total of 90. He also registered 13.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and fumble recoveries, 65 tackles and 13 tackles for loss. He was again nominated All-Pro and was heading back to the Pro Bowl.

Last season, Parsons had a career in terms of sacks (14), his total tackles took a dip but this was more down to utilization than anything. Some argue he was used too much as a pure pass rusher, but if he’s generating the most pressures two years in a row (193 total pressures in two years), then why not keep sending him back there to break up plays? It’s true, the run defending needs work. but that goes for the entire Cowboys defense. But as long as Parsons is on the field showcasing his speed and burst, then there should be no doubt this defense is in safe and reliable hands and should be able to dominate more than it doesn’t. The only question for him now is will he get that league Most Valuable Player award he has yearned for since the moment he entered the NFL.


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