When the Dallas Cowboys chose to select linebacker Micah Parsons with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, most fans knew how big of a pickup that would end up being. For a team that had struggled so mightily defensively in 2020, Parsons was exactly the kind of addition that Jerry Jones and company needed to make.

Now that we are a full year into Parsons’ NFL career, those who expected him to be a star for the Cowboys were 100 percent right. He helped lead Dallas to the playoffs and his future could not look brighter. Parsons is truly a rising star for the Cowboys.

During his first career season in the NFL, Parsons racked up 84 total tackles to go along with 13 sacks, three forced fumbles, and three defended passes. He went from being a linebacker to being a feared pass-rusher in just one year. No one can state how important that was for Dallas this season.

Following the conclusion of the regular season, Pro Football Focus put out their highest-graded rookies list. Parsons played well enough to land at No. 2 on the list among all rookies. The only rookie ahead of him was Kansas City Chiefs rookie offensive lineman Creed Humphrey.

Looking ahead to the future, the Cowboys are going to continue relying heavily on Parsons. He has the potential to become one of the biggest defensive stars in the game. If he lives up to his full potential, he will be scary for opposing offenses to game plan against.

There are very few defensive players around the NFL that can play inside linebacker, outside linebacker, or a pass-rushing role. Parsons checks off the entire list.

Expect to see Micah Parsons continue his impressive play into the postseason. If the Cowboys want to make a deep playoff run, they will need their rookie star to continue stepping up. Parsons doesn’t usually fall short of the hype and we wouldn’t be on that happening on the biggest stage of them all in the playoffs.