2021 NFL Draft: Grading every first-round pick after rookie year

Grading every rookie from the 2021 NFL Draft: Micah Parsons, LB, Dallas Cowboys

2021 Stats: 

• 84 tackles
• 13 Sacks
• 3 Forced Fumbles

After moving down two spots, the Dallas Cowboys ended up taking Micah Parsons, who is the player they were reportedly going to take at No. 10 had they not made the move with the Philadelphia Eagles. In exchange for the 10th pick, Dallas got No. 84 as well, which they used on Iowa defensive end Chauncey Golston.

He ended up with 32 tackles and one sack, showing some promise as an edge rusher but even if he hadn’t played well when put on the field, the Cowboys still would have won this trade because Micah Parsons proved to be the best defensive player in this draft.

After racking up 84 tackles and 13 sacks, Parsons won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award and there were those who thought he should have been given some love as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate.

As a rookie, Parsons played middle linebacker, outside linebacker, and defensive end and was exceptional at every one of those roles. He and Trevon Diggs were the biggest reasons this defense went from the bottom of the pack to one of the more dangerous due to their ability to rush the passer and turn the ball over.

Dallas has to hope he can continue to build upon his success — unlike Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch — but his ability to destroy plays in the backfield is a major reason why they shouldn’t be too concerned about that.

Grade: A+