Dallas Cowboys select Penn State LB Micah Parsons with 12th pick in NFL Draft
With the 10th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the only thing the Dallas Cowboys could count on was that they were going to get a good player or a great opportunity in the first round.
Who knew the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles would play a role in the process that allowed the Cowboys to do both as they got a difference-making linebacker in Penn State’s Micah Parsons, while adding to their draft capital with an extra third-round pick.
They targeted a cornerback but their main focus was getting a top defensive player to help new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn bolster a unit that set a team record for points allowed in 2020 and gave up the second-most yards ever.
The Cowboys signed seven defensive players in free agency, but a hole remained at cornerback opposite Trevon Diggs.
But with South Carolina’s Jaycee Horn and Alabama’s Patrick Surtain II off the board with the eighth and ninth picks to the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos, respectively, the Cowboys made the unique decision to trade back with Eagles.
The Eagles took Alabama Heisman Trophy-winning receiver DeVonta Smith.
The Cowboys dropped down two spots to 12 and picked up a third-round pick, the 84th overall selection that will be made Friday night.
And they still got a potential impact player in Parsons.
He was a COVID-19 opt out last season but Parsons was still the best linebacker in the draft and arguably the best defender overall. And he bolsters a depleted position following the retirement of veteran Sean Lee last week.
Leighton Vander Esch, a first-round pick in 2018 who was a Pro Bowl linebacker as a rookie, has been plagued by injuries the past two years and the team has not yet decided to pick up his fifth-year option.
Jaylon Smith led the team in tackles the past two years. But impact plays were few and far between and his future beyond 2021 in not secure.
Former Falcons safety Keanu Neal was added in free agency and will be moved to linebacker, but he only signed a one-year deal.
Parsons only played two season at Penn State, but he made his mark immediately. He was a freshman All-America in 2018 and a consensus All-America in 2019 when he had 109 tackles, five sacks and four forced fumbles.
He is considered a next-level athlete who can rush the quarterback, tackle and run sideline to sideline to make plays.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told Parsons on the draft call that “Coach Dan Quinn is smiling from ear to ear.”
It was not lost on coach Mike McCarthy that Penn State is known for putting great linebackers in the NFL. And now Parsons can make up for the loss of Lee, a former Penn State alum.
“Linebacker U, you got to keep the tradition going,” McCarthy said. “You’re a great fit for us, young man.”
The Cowboys 10 remaining picks, include one in the second-round and now three in the third round when the draft resumes on Friday and they plan to continue to bolster the defense.
2021 NFL Draft top 12 picks
| Pick | Team | Player | Position | School |
| 1 | Jaguars | Trevor Lawrence | QB | Clemson |
| 2 | Jets | Zach Wilson | QB | BYU |
| 3 | 49ers | Trey Lance | QB | N.D. State |
| 4 | Falcons | Kyle Pitts | TE | Florida |
| 5 | Bengals | Ja’Marr Chase | WR | LSU |
| 6 | Dolphins | Jaylen Waddle | WR | Alabama |
| 7 | Lions | Penei Sewell | OT | Oregon |
| 8 | Panthers | Jaycee Horn | CB | South Carolina |
| 9 | Broncos | Patrick Surtain II | CB | Alabama |
| 10 | Eagles | DeVonta Smith | WR | Alabama |
| 11 | Bears | Justin Fields | QB | Ohio State |
| 12 | Cowboys | Micah Parsons | LB | Penn State |
This story was originally published April 29, 2021 at 8:47 PM.
