The main reason the Dallas Cowboys had a successful regular season in 2021 was the resurgence of their defensive unit. Spearheading the effort was rookie linebacker Micah Parsons who earned first-team All-Pro honors and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year.

When Pro Football Focus put out its updated list of NFL roster rankings, it also included things such as each team's biggest strength. There was little surprise that Parsons held that title for the Cowboys.

Ben Linsey on Parsons:

"Micah Parsons came into the league as a rookie last season and made a legitimate case for not just the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year but also Defensive Player of the Year. He was PFF's highest-graded off-ball linebacker and one of the most effective pass-rushers in the NFL when defensive coordinator Dan Quinn opted to use him as an edge rusher. The Randy Gregory loss in free agency is going to hurt Dallas up front, but few teams can send two pass-rushers as talented as Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence after opposing quarterbacks. Parsons' ability to fill multiple roles at a high level depending on where he's needed most in a given situation provides a lot of flexibility to the Cowboys on defense."

Parsons is the Cowboys' biggest strength because of one reason, versatility. His sideline-to-sideline prowess from the linebacker spot and ability to rush from the edge were undeniable in 2021. However, Parsons also took snaps at cornerback and safety, and rushed the passer from the interior as well, a rare task, to say the least.

After one season, Parsons made the case that he is the most versatile player in the NFL. Entering year two, Parsons wants to be the best player in the league overall, and he went into detail about what he feels that means.

"Being the best player doesn't mean I'm going to have a sack a game. That doesn't mean I'm going to have 10 tackles a game," Parsons said. "It's just making my team better. That's what comes with being the best player. And that's the thing – it's not all individual stat accolades. And that's what I had to learn. That's why I say mindset. Being the best player in the league doesn't mean you're going to have 20 sacks.

"I have to make everyone around me better and I have to be one of those guys we can lean on when it comes to big moments. That's what that means."

Parsons changed the entire way the Cowboys play defense last season. With his expectations taken up a notch, there's no limit to how good Parsons will be in his second year.

Feature image via Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports