Why Dallas Cowboys Linebacker Micah Parsons is the Defensive Player of the Year
The Dallas Cowboys have been plagued by poor defensive play for years now. Dan Quinn’s innovative approach to the defensive side of the football has put the Cowboys in that Super Bowl conversation, but not without help. The number one reason for success on defense is the first-round pick for Dallas, Micah Parsons. The linebacker […]
The Dallas Cowboys have been plagued by poor defensive play for years now. Dan Quinn’s innovative approach to the defensive side of the football has put the Cowboys in that Super Bowl conversation, but not without help. The number one reason for success on defense is the first-round pick for Dallas, Micah Parsons.
The linebacker is a lock for defensive rookie of the year, but it’s time to start talking about Parsons as the outright defensive player of the year and how he stands alone from the rest of the field.
To understand these yearly awards, one has to look at the process as a whole. The award does not rely on player performance alone, it relies on a narrative. Keep in mind, the voters for every NFL yearly award are writers chosen by the Associated Press. For a player to be in the conversation, numbers have to pop off the stat sheet.
These voters are not watching hours of film to determine who impacts the game the most, who performed each rep to perfection, who was in the right spot in coverage. The question becomes who had the most sacks, interceptions, tackles for loss, etc. Micah ranks among the top of the league in multiple statistical categories.
Parsons is a swiss army knife and his versatility allows Quinn to plug and play the linebacker all over the field. What makes the rookie stand alone in the DPOY crowd is his high-level play at multiple positions.
As a pass rusher, Parsons dominates the field:
- First in tackles for loss (16)
- Second in QB hits (25)
- Second in QB knockdowns (15)
- Second in QB pressures (38)
- Top 10 in sacks (10).
These numbers rival the likes of NFL superstars like Miles Garrett, Joey Bosa, TJ Watt, and Aaron Donald. Parsons has stitched his name into that elite tier coming off the edge. Although, Parsons has more to offer beyond rushing the passer that surpasses other defenders.
Commanding the defense and his ability to drop into coverage set the linebacker apart. These traits are what make Parsons the best defensive player this season. Other candidates don’t have the ability to cover running backs and tight ends or have to make an adjustment when the quarterback is making an audible.
His impact on the field can't be recorded on the stat sheet which can be overlooked when it comes to voting for defensive player of the year.
In his first year, Parsons is drawing comparisons to arguably the greatest defender of all time, Lawrence Taylor. He could become the first rookie since Taylor to win defensive player of the year as a rookie. Parsons would also be the first linebacker to win the award since Luke Kuechly in 2013 with the Carolina Panthers.
He has broken the franchise record for sacks as a rookie, surpassing Dallas Cowboys legend Demarcus Ware. Parsons took home defensive rookie of the month honors in November and he continues to impress.
Keep in mind, Trevon Diggs is not completely out of this conversation yet either. However, Only six cornerbacks have won the award in its history and unless he gets an interception in each of the last five games it seems unlikely.
If the rookie can continue to put up the numbers, history will be made in Dallas.
Featured Image Via: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
