The Dallas Cowboys chose Micah Parsons as their first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. This Penn State product couldn’t have had a better start to his NFL career and he has acknowledged it. The Cowboys’ 6-foot-3, 245-pound linebacker has played a major role in creating turnovers. He has also helped them win the NFC East crown and a playoff berth. Dallas has not had the latter since 2018. Parsons, who is only his first season in the NFL has accumulated 84 total tackles (64 solo stops), 13sacks (sixth most in the NFL), and three forced fumbles. Parsons was not only named to his first Pro Bowl, but he could also be the Defensive Rookie Of The Year.
Parsons’ impressive feat is perhaps even more remarkable. The Cowboys often line him up as a linebacker or on the edge and the results are always dominant. Parsons is aiming for a bigger prize than the NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year award.
Parsons stated Tuesday that if he were to play only edge rusher, he would be an 18-20 sack-player. Parsons believes that his current production is enough to make him the NFL Defensive Player Of The Year.
Vegas oddsmakers believes that Parsons will need to have an amazing Week 18 performance and perhaps a less impressive game by TJ Watt as part of their quest for the award. Odds shark has Parsons as the second-favorite candidate for the award. Watt is the favorite at -350. Parsons, Parsons’ fellow defensive end for the Los Angeles Rams, is priced at +2000. Trevon Diggs (sophomore cornerback) rounds out the top five at +3300.
The Cowboys, who have secured all the necessary pieces to make it into the postseason, may be lacking motivation or choosing to play their bench players rather than its starters as they head into Week 18. Parsons is a completely different story. Parsons sees Week 18 as a division rivalry match against the Philadelphia Eagles.
“Nope,” Parsons said, when asked if his debut in Philadelphia impacts his motivation. “Just going up there to kick some butt.” Parsons doesn’t care if he makes his debut on the away side. Parsons values the rivalry as a whole -and he is ready to “kick some butt.”