FRISCO, Texas — Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons is now a Dallas Cowboy. Two cornerbacks were invariably linked to the Cowboys but when Jaycee Horn (Carolina Panthers) and Patrick Surtain II (Denver Broncos) were taken off the board ahead of Dallas’ coveted No. 10, a swap occurred.
The Cowboys made a trade with rival Philadelphia Eagles. Philly received Dallas’ 10th overall pick to jump up and grab DeVonta Smith and in exchange, the Cowboys were granted the Eagles original 12th overall selection and an additional pick in the third round at 84.
Not only did Dallas get another pick in the top 100 but the highest-graded defensive player available on their board and the top linebacker in the 2021 class.
Parsons met with the Cowboys once virtually during the pre-draft process, but he made his intentions clear. He wanted to don blue and white again at the pro level.
“I had to finish what I started,” Parsons described to media following his selection. “I had a great game, the Memphis game, in Dallas. I fell in love with the stadium. I fell in love with everything they have to offer in Dallas. I knew what type of system I was coming into and who I wanted to play next to; the competition I wanted to go against every day offensively. I think I’m going to go against the best offense in America the whole season, so it’s only going to make me better. And we’re going to go from there…everything happens for a reason. I put it out to the world last year that I wanted to be a Cowboy. I’m just blessed my dream came true.”
The stars certainly aligned for Parsons; pun intended. The pick helps the Cowboys long-term at the linebacker position. Jaylon Smith’s contract is an unknown following the 2021 season and the team has not picked up Leighton Vander Esch’s fifth-year option. Not to mention, 11-year veteran Sean Lee just announced his retirement earlier in the week. Parsons will help solidify the second level of Dan Quinn’s defense.
There is an incredible upside to the former Nittany Lions’ skillset, but he is also a raw player with character concerns. Parsons arrived at Penn State as a defensive end and made the positional switch to LB. He opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns and only has two seasons (one starting) of film at the position. His lack of experience can lead to lapses in coverage but with solid coaching, those tweaks will be made as his familiarity/development grows. He lacks the mental-processing awareness that many veterans have and can get sidetracked on misdirection. Added reps and commitment to one position will up his ceiling.
Not taught, maturity. The staff will be tasked with creating a role for Parsons in the team’s projected base 4-3 and monitoring what happens off-the-field. He was linked to a hazing incident at Penn State, but he spoke candidly with Dallas media on his innocence.
“They did all their background checks, and I let them know the truth. There’s nothing pending against me. There’s nothing I would lie about. Everything was dropped and all that type of stuff. They were false allegations. I never got to speak on my name because It’s hard to say that while you’re in the process, but obviously, they did their background. They know I’m not a character concern at all. I think I’m a great person, and I’m going to keep becoming a better father and person every day, not only for myself but for my entire family. And Cowboys nation, now I got to represent them every day too.”
The Cowboys obviously did their due diligence on the first-round pick and saw his potential. The Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year (first to win as a sophomore) provides a unique innate ability with rare sideline range, change-of-direction, and downhill burst in pursuit of the ball.
The “linebacker U” product played in Brent Pry’s 4-3 base scheme and will make the right fit in Dallas, that likely is transitioning back to a more traditional 4-3 under Quinn’s tutelage as opposed to the hybrid system under Mike Nolan a year ago. Parsons lined up as the weak side linebacker and training camp will be a good indication of where Quinn envisions his role.
In addition to Smith and Vander Esch, free agent acquisition Keanu Neal is projected to serve in a hybrid role at both strong safety and linebacker. Parsons will add competition to the mix at training camp, along with depth options Francis Bernard and Luke Gifford.
The former pass rusher turned elite linebacker in a two-year span has limitless potential in Dallas. He led Penn State in tackles both seasons with 83 in 2018 and 109 in 2019. Whether it be inside zone, outside zone, or defending a screen out of the backfield, Parsons contained opposing rushing attacks. He used his size to his advantage and beat blockers to create turnovers. Physicality was a priority for the Cowboys in the draft and the club certainly addressed the need with Parsons’ selection.
He has not even scratched the surface and the Cowboys are counting on it.
