NFL Analysis Network

Cowboys Reveal Future Plans For Rising Star LB Micah Parsons

The Dallas Cowboys did cartwheels when Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons fell to them in the 2021 NFL Draft. Some analysts had Parsons as the highest-rated non-quarterback in last year’s draft class and some believed that he could go in the top five of the draft.

Instead, he dropped to No. 12 and the Cowboys could not have been happier. After one of the worst defensive seasons in franchise history was put together in 2020, the team desperately needed an infusion of talent on that side of the ball. Parsons turned out to be everything they had hoped for and more.

Parsons was lauded for his versatility when entering the league, which he showcased regularly. He finished the season with 84 total tackles to go with 20 tackles for loss, three passes defended and three forced fumbles. Most impressive, however, was his ability to get after the quarterback.

The former Nittany Lion racked up 13 sacks as a rookie, adding 30 quarterback hits. It resulted in him registering an overall grade of 88.5, which was the highest grade for a rookie defender during the 2021 season, and second overall behind only Kansas City Chiefs center, Creed Humphrey.

Given how incredible he was when rushing the passer, some people are wondering, will the Cowboys deploy Parsons exclusively as a pass rusher and EDGE defender? Head coach Mike McCarthy recently addressed it and it does not sound as if the team has any plans to limit what he does on the field.

“The people that say, ‘Hey, why don’t you play him at defensive end?’ Very fair. That’s a very fair question,” McCarthy said, via the team’s website. “But we’ve made it clear: We want him moving around.”

This is the right decision for McCarthy and his staff to make. Micah Parsons showed that he can be an elite pass rusher, but he brings so much more to the table for the Cowboys that limiting him to only doing that role would be a detriment to the team.

Parsons is a true sideline-to-sideline player, as he chases down ball carriers no matter where they are on the field. He was dominant as a rookie and should only get better with the more experience that he gains. Dallas got themselves a great player in the 2021 NFL Draft and they should be using that to their advantage, deploying Parsons wherever he will make the biggest impact on a given week.

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