2021 NFL Draft: Jets, Jaguars make trades in new 2021 NFL mock draft
By Kyle Edmond
Dallas bolsters defense
Penn State. player. 123. Pick Analysis. LB. Micah Parsons. 6. Scouting Report
Injuries have hit the Dallas Cowboys hard this year and their record shows it. The offense has been depleted and they’ve had to rely on their defense, which is even worse. When the 2021 NFL Draft rolls around, the Cowboys need to select the best defensive player available in the first round. In this case, that’s Micah Parsons.
While the Cowboys’ linebackers aren’t the worst part of their defense, adding Parsons would be a tremendous upgrade. This is a unit that is still using Sean Lee regularly. Lee has played in all 16 games just once and that was last season after playing in seven during the 2018 season. This year, he’s suited up for just two contests.
As a group, Parsons combined with Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch would form a young and athletic trio that can hold down the middle of the defense, taking pressure off of both the defensive line and the secondary. The concern would be that Vander Esch has had his fair share of injuries as well, making the Parsons pick make that much more sense.
If he can stay healthy, Parsons could quickly become the anchor of the Dallas defense. Smith has filled that role lately, but Parsons has more talent on the field and could easily surpass him for that role.