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Ranking the top 5 NFL rookie pass rushers in league history

By Ronnie Eastham

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 16: Defensive lineman Reggie White #92 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on from the sideline during a game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on October 16, 1988 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Eagles 19-3. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 16: Defensive lineman Reggie White #92 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on from the sideline during a game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on October 16, 1988 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Eagles 19-3. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /
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Pass Rushers
Dec 12, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Best rookie NFL pass rush season no. 1: Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys

. . Micah Parsons. 1. player. 123.

While putting this list together, I didn’t have too much trouble with the fourth and fifth spots in this top five; however, these top three could go in any order.  You can put any of the three in the one spot and you’ll get little argument from me.

The only reason I didn’t put Reggie White in this number one spot was his two seasons in the USFL, coming out of college.  I believe this gave him a bit of an edge over other rookies coming into the NFL straight out of college.

That said, Micah Parsons is my number one pass-rushing rookie.

Micah Parsons was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2021 with the 12th pick of the draft.  All he did in year one was being voted Defensive Rookie of the Year, was second in Defensive Player of the Year voting, made first-team All-Pro, and a spot on the NFC Pro Bowl roster.

Parsons tallied 13 sacks and 84 tackles in 16 games. The 13 sacks are good enough to land him tied for third all-time for rookies in NFL history.

It wasn’t just the sack numbers though, Parsons was all over the field in 2020, harassing not just quarterbacks but ball carries in general.

He recorded 20 tackles for loss, which ties him with Dwight Freeney with the most among these pass rushers.  He also had 30 quarterback hits, making life difficult for opposing signal callers, sending them home very sore after facing him and the Cowboys’ defense.

The future is very bright for this young player, as he prepares for his second season in the league in 2022.  Only time will tell just how good Parsons will be and the path his career goes.

It’s been a long time since the Dallas Cowboys have been in the Super Bowl but here are some numbers for you.

The four guys I’ve ranked behind Parsons, all have been to a Super Bowl and only Jevon Kearse was unable to win one.

Those four combined for a whopping seven Super Bowls between them.  I think that bodes well for Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys.

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