Cowboys’ Micah Parsons ranked among best off-ball LBs by NFL execs, coaches, players

In one year, Micah Parsons established himself as one of the best defensive players in the NFL.

However, those in NFL circles think he might not even be the best at his position.

ESPN surveyed league executives, coaches and players to rank the top 10 off-ball linebackers. Parsons was ranked as the second best player at the position. Colts linebacker Darius Leonard was ranked first.

While ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler called Parsons “the best singular talent at the position,” but said his positional flexibility caused some challenges in the voting.

In his rookie season, Parsons lined up at left outside linebacker, left inside linebacker, right outside linebacker, right inside linebacker and even defensive end.

“I don’t see Micah as an off-the-ball LB at all,” one NFL coordinator told ESPN. “He’s really a 3-4 OLB that [Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn] is scheming into situational opportunities.”

In his rookie season, Parsons posted 13 sacks, 20 tackles for loss and 30 quarterback hits on his way to being named the Defensive Rookie of the Year. He also finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting behind T.J. Watt.

For Parsons to be ranked as one of the best off-ball linebackers after his first season in the NFL while playing multiple positions says a lot about him. And yet, Parsons has even higher expectations for himself.

This offseason, Parsons has already claimed he wants to break Watt’s sack record in 2022 and that he believes he and Trevon Diggs have the potential to be “even better” than the Rams’ Super Bowl tandem of Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey.

The claim might sound bold now, but as Parsons has shown a lot can change in a year’s time.

Last year, Parsons didn’t crack ESPN’s off-ball linebacker rankings. This offseason, he’s No. 2.

If he continues developing at this pace, a No. 1 ranking could be in his future.

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