Dallas Cowboys: Top 7 moves in the 2021 offseason

3. Drafting LB Micah Parsons (1st round)

Everyone knew the Dallas Cowboys were going to go with defense atop their 2021 NFL Draft class, but most assumed it would be either Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II or South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn to pair with promising second-year player Trevon Diggs.

When Horn and Surtain went in back-to-back picks before the Cowboys were on the clock at 10, Dallas had to pivot.

No matter what the Cowboys say, there’s no question that their top two options were off the board when it was their turn to pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. With that being said, they may have gotten the most talented defensive player in this class in Micah Parsons.

Parsons is a converted defensive end whose role in Dan Quinn’s defense will be fascinating to watch unfold on a weekly basis. Because of how good and natural Parsons is as a pass rusher, it would be shocking if Quinn didn’t use him in that way early on, perhaps similar to what the Seahawks once envisioned with Bruce Irvin at outside linebacker.

I do not think the best option for Parsons’ career is just putting him at middle linebacker and hoping it works out, because his game is so much more than that.

Although Parsons isn’t going to fix the Cowboys’ issues in the trenches or their coverage abilities at cornerback, if he reaches his ceiling, it will seem like Dallas has 12 defenders out on the field at all times because of how fast he plays and how aggressive he is.