Micah Parsons was the lone Dallas Cowboy to make the top 10 in the NFL’s top 100 players list of 2023. Parsons clinched the ninth spot for the first time in his career.
Parsons has had a tremendous start to his tenure so far with the team. In his rookie season, he proved that he can be a force to pressuring quarterbacks inside the pocket. When let loose, Parsons can create noise and change the landscape of the defense.
The young star did just that by becoming Defensive Player of the Year runner-up in each of his first two seasons in the league. It proves that the edge rusher is going to be a problem for future quarterbacks after leading the Cowboys in sacks last season.
Despite Parsons being the runner-up in the DPOY, he still won the Defensive Rookie of the Year unanimously. Both Parsons’ rookie and 2022 seasons have been the hallmark of the Cowboys’ defense. The anticipation now rests with this 2023 season.
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Micah Parsons Earns Spot on NFL’s Top 100 list for 2023
Micah Parsons’ Path to No.9 on NFL’s Top 100 2023
Parsons went 12th overall in the 2021 draft, signing a four-year rookie contract, worth $17 million. In his rookie season, he put up impressive numbers by recording 79 tackles, 12 sacks and three forced fumbles in his first 14 games. He has only gotten better throughout that season by finishing with 20 assists and 13 sacks in 16 games.
Parsons has also become a two-time Pro-Bowler and named All Pro so far in his NFL career. The 24-year-old has become well-deserving of his on-field production by showing his speed and athleticism.
Parsons’ attitude on the field creates the drive in him to care for the game by only wanting to get better each season. He faced character issues in the past, but he is not letting that control his future.
Considering the numbers he put up in his rookie season, it is no wonder why Parsons has accumulated so many accolades entering his third year this season.
Parsons was ranked No. 16 in 2022 following his rookie year. He has continued to climb up the ranks by becoming a favorite of Cowboys fans and coaching staff. Despite the injuries that the defensive front suffered in 2021, Parsons was consistently excellent at rushing the quarterback.
While Dallas collapsed in the playoffs, Parsons still cemented his status as a future Hall-of-Famer after a historic rookie season. He finished the season with 84 total tackles. Parsons had fans believe that he was the best defensive player after his rookie season.
Parsons continued to have stellar stats as a sophomore. Under the leadership and tutelage of other defensive leaders like Demarcus Lawrence, Parsons became the highlight for the 2022 season. He recorded 13.5 sacks and now holds the record of most sacks in a single game with 2.5.
The Cowboys’ playoffs continued to be disappointing after they lost yet another playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers. In his young career, Parsons has yet to miss a game and has collected 56 quarterback hits and 33 tackles for loss.
What to Expect from Micah Parsons in 2023
Lately, Parsons has bulked up a bit because he believes that it can be effective in his pass-rushing. The elite edge rusher already has immense speed so it is unimaginable what the lookout will be after adding a couple of pounds.
Parsons continues to impress at training camp while the anticipation looms for the Cowboys’ defense. There is a common saying that says that ‘defense wins championships’. Parsons and the Cowboys’ defense have the chance to do just that for the 2023 season.
Cowboys Micah Parsons mentality is on another level as he describes why he purposefully seeks out to attack Dak Prescott at practice saying in part:
“If I want to be the best I’m the best everyday…so I tell ‘4’ everyday I’m coming for you…” #DallasCowboys
(🎥: @thepivot) pic.twitter.com/tBXg6dPisJ
— Kevin Gray Jr. (@KevinGraySports) August 9, 2023
Main Photo: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
