Cowboys 'Most Irreplaceable'? Can't Lose 'Heart & Soul' Micah Parsons

Micah Parsons has developed into a bonafide game-wrecker for the Dallas Cowboys, with CBS Sports stating that the franchise can't afford to lose the star pass rushing linebacker.

Since being selected 12th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, Micah Parsons has been a high-level production machine. Initially drafted as a linebacker out of Penn State, Parsons showed his ability as an edge rusher in his rookie campaign.

Now, with two NFL seasons under his belt, the "pass-rushing linebacker" may be the best defensive player in football. His value to defensive coordinator Dan Quinn's unit must be recognized, but what about his importance to the team?

CBS Sports has compiled a list of all 32 NFL teams and the one player they can't afford to lose. For Dallas, that's Micah.

"CeeDee Lamb is a star out wide, and his absence would surely affect Dak Prescott, who'll be counting on Brandin Cooks to help him downfield," CBS Sports writes. "But Parsons is the heart and soul of the team, his rangy athleticism enabling Dallas to be creative on D."

As CBS Sports mentions, quarterback Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb are other viable candidates, but given how well Cooper Rush fared last season (4-1 as the starter in Dak's absence) and with the addition of Cooks, perhaps the potential loss of Prescott and Lamb could be offset.

But without Micah? While the Cowboys possess a pass-rushing unit that is the envy of the league, Parsons stands above them all, and we have the stats to back it up.

In each of his two NFL seasons, Parsons has led the Cowboys in sacks, tackles for loss, forced fumbles, and quarterback hits on his way to back-to-back All-Pro honors. 

The case could be made that there is enough depth with DeMarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler, Sam Williams, Osa Odighizuwa, and more … all capable of picking up some of the slack left by Parsons.

But Micah is the true definition of a "needle-mover" for the Cowboys and raises the bar for the defense to a point where for some, they are on par with the defensive units of the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Parsons has already shown his abilities as a game-wrecker, and just two years into his career, the shocking thing is he can still improve. The defense goes as Micah goes, which is why the Cowboys can't do without the "pass-rushing linebacker" next season.

---

COWBOYS FISH REPORT … now a podcast! Join us inside The Star, ANY TIME!

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Dallas Cowboys?

Follow FishSports on Twitter

Follow Adam Schultz on Twitter

Follow Cowboys / Fish on Facebook

Subscribe to the Cowboys Fish Report on YouTube for constant daily Cowboys live reports!