Cowboys’ Micah Parsons deservingly named ESPN’s best player under 25

“A strong argument could be made Parsons is the top defensive player in the game. Parsons is a menace coming off the edge,” writes ESPN’s Jordan Reid.

Parsons, 23, is second on the league’s sack leaderboard. He’s the third player since 1982 (when sacks became an official stat) to record 12 or more in their first two seasons, joining Hall of Famer Reggie White and former Pro Bowler Aldon Smith. 

Parsons reestablished Dallas’ defensive dominance. Before Dallas drafted him in 2021, it ranked 28th in total defense, surrendering 6,183 yards. Also, it missed the playoffs. 

After Parsons arrived, the Cowboys jumped to the No. 7 defense in the league last season and won the NFC East. This year, they remain at No.7 and are the second-best scoring defense.

Dallas’ pass rush is a primary reason they’ve started to become prolific; the Cowboys (8-3) lead the league in sacks (45). Per ESPN analytics, the Cowboys have a 51 percent pass rush win rate, the league’s third-best. 

Parsons lends a massive hand, winning 27 percent of his matchups, fourth at his position. According to Oddschecker, he’s the favorite to win NFL Defensive Player of The Year. 

Parsons deserves the praise. Perhaps he holds the potential to become a marquee star and the league’s top player point blank.