Cowboys Camp Preview: Jabril Joins Micah Parsons? 3 To Watch at LB
OXNARD, Calif. - The all-around ability of Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons is no secret. Parsons' rookie season was dominant, as he came second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Things did not, however, work out as fortunately for rookie linebacker Jabril Cox. Still, as training camp opens up here in Oxnard, Cox is a pivotal guy - one of "three to watch'' at linebacker here in camp.
1) Jabril Cox
In Week 8 vs. the Minnesota Vikings, the Cowboys pulled out a narrow 20-16 victory, but lost Cox for the season to a torn ACL.
But now comes the good news, as Cox recently told our Mike Fisher of his rehab timetable.
"I feel great in my workouts,'' Cox told us. "I'm happy with where I am. I plan on being ready at (the start of Oxnard training) camp.''
When Dallas drafted Cox, the Cowboys got what many considered a steal in the fourth round. In his senior season at LSU, Cox had the highest coverage grade of any linebacker in the draft. Cox posted nine career interceptions in college, with two seasons of three or more interceptions. Additionally, Cox displayed the ability to turn takeaways into six points for his team.
Versatility was also an aspect of Cox's game he displayed in college, as he had three seasons with four or more sacks. Cox posted a very respectable Pro Football Focus grade of 73.0 in his 2021 preseason action with Dallas.
From the start, Cox has been determined to learn from the veterans in Dallas, citing his desire to take to mentorship last preseason.
"Leighton, J, Micah, Keanu – those guys, they've helped out tremendously, especially Luke (Gifford). So just learning from them. I know early on it's a learning curve, but once I get my opportunity I try to make the most of it," Cox said.
2) Micah Parsons
This offseason, many wondered if Dallas would address the linebacker position and add a star alongside Micah Parsons (who already thinks he and Trevon Diggs are closing in on dynamic-duo eliteness). We still wonder whether a move like Anthony Barr makes sense.
But for now? Micah is No. 1 in so many ways ... but at this point we almost take his excellence for granted. What to watch at camp? As was the case last year: Where does he line up? What will coordinator Dan Quinn cook up? Can he add a knack for interceptions to his playmaking portfolio?
3) Aaron Hansford
What? A UDFA? Yes, and here's why: Leighton Vander Esch is a known commodity. If he starts over Cox, Dallas is good. If Cox starts over Vander Esch, Cox must be good. But there is room for another guy to develop, to add depth, to help on teams. We'll peg Hansford - a top-quality guy at Texas A&M - as an early name to look for at camp.
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