'Undeniable Talent' Micah Parsons: Cowboys Edge NFL's Best?
There are few sights in the NFL more intimidating than Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons flying at you off the edge. Once the ball is snapped, he is in the backfield bringing down the quarterback.
His ability to routinely embarrass offensive tackles makes him one of the league's premier edge rushers, with a collection of NFL scouts, executives and coaches ranking him as the third best at the position entering the season.
Parsons, who earned First Team All-Pro honors for the second time in his two-year career in 2022, just edged out T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers to make the top three - due heavily to some general managers favoring his "youth and versatility."
"He has a knack for setting up blockers and getting them off balance," an NFL personnel evaluator said. "It's not just ability. He sets up tackles and has a plan. And he brings versatility."
As a rookie Parsons immediately put the league on notice, recording 84 tackles with 20 tackles for loss and 13 sacks en route to being named Defensive Rookie of the Year. Then, he followed that up with another dominant showing that saw him tally 65 tackles with 13 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks.
Oh, and he also forced a combined six fumbles in his first two seasons and recovered three more in 2022.
Those stats certainly make a case for Parsons to be the top edge rusher, however as it currently stands he finds himself behind the second-ranked Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns and first-ranked Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers.
However, a third straight All-Pro caliber season from the Cowboys linebacker could see him vault to the top spot this time next year.
"It wouldn't surprise me if he's No. 1 by next year," an NFL coordinator said. "His talent is undeniable."
When it comes to the Cowboys defense, the ferocious Parsons sets the tone off the edge. He has cemented himself one of the game's best at his position, hoping to bring the Lombardi Trophy back to the Lone Star State.
You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98
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