NFL writer gives Cowboys' defender major kudos
The Dallas Cowboys have a lot of things to figure out this offseason, but who leads their defense isn't one of them. After two seasons, Parsons has proven to be an all-purpose type of defender, making an impact in multiple positions. As good as Parsons is, most people would say that constructing an NFL team […]
The Dallas Cowboys have a lot of things to figure out this offseason, but who leads their defense isn't one of them. After two seasons, Parsons has proven to be an all-purpose type of defender, making an impact in multiple positions.
As good as Parsons is, most people would say that constructing an NFL team around him would be preposterous considering he's not a quarterback. Don't tell Pro Football Focus that, as they named Parsons as one of the 10 non-quarterbacks to build a franchise around.
Sam Monson on what makes Parsons special:
"About the best thing I can say about Parsons is that he was drawing comparisons to Lawrence Taylor throughout his rookie season. It wasn’t hyperbole gone too far, as it was descriptive of the kind of intensity he was playing with and the impact he was having as an edge rusher after he was drafted ostensibly to play off-ball linebacker. Since entering the league, Parsons leads all pass-rushers with a 20.4% pressure rate — almost two percentage points higher than the next-best player. Parsons is a game-changing playmaker who has the kind of versatility that comes along once in a generation."
That's quite the compliment for Parsons, but it's well deserved.
The advantage the Cowboys have with Parsons is he allows them to do different things defensively. He played over 800 snaps as an edge rusher including playoffs, which allows other linebackers to contribute, and when he does go to the second level, which he did 186 times this season, Cowboys' defensive coordinator Dan Quinn can dip into his rotation on the defensive line to pressure the quarterback in his absence. Keeping guys fresh is key.
Parsons has been a Freddy Krueger to NFL quarterbacks in his first two seasons tallying 26.5 sacks and 57 quarterback hits. In 2022 alone he had had an unreal 61 hurries and 90 pressures.
The Cowboys only got one victory in the playoffs, but Parsons was out of his mind. The two-time first-team All-Pro had three tackles (two for loss), two passes defended, two quarterback hits, and nine pressures.
As Parsons heads into his third season, it's a safe bet that he'll continue to be one of the best players on the gridiron regardless of position.
Feature image via Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
