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Cowboys LB Micah Parsons Says He's 'The Most Versatile Player in the NFL'

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIJanuary 5, 2022

Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Micah Parsons (11) defends against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
AP Photo/Ron Jenkins

Dallas Cowboys rookie linebacker Micah Parsons told reporters Tuesday that he believes he's the most versatile player in the NFL.

Per Jori Epstein of USA Today:

"I take complete pride in being the most versatile player in the NFL. I think I would put myself up there with the elite guys around the league in terms of impacting the game. It definitely hasn’t been a one-man job. The DBs help me a lot being able to hold the receivers so that way I can get the pressure and sacks and things like that. (But) I think I do a lot of very different things on the defense that change the game."

At least one prominent teammate agrees with him, with right guard Zack Martin making these remarks last week:

Jori Epstein @JoriEpstein

I asked Cowboys RG Zack Martin about the challenge versatile rusher Micah Parsons poses. Here's his explanation on why Micah "really is a matchup nightmare, for pretty much anyone, across the board": <a href="https://t.co/4C8a11keqQ">pic.twitter.com/4C8a11keqQ</a>

The Cowboys have the luxury of using Parsons in a variety of ways, as Pro Football Focus noted:

PFF @PFF

Micah Parsons is a Swiss Army knife <a href="https://t.co/JpkUoswGQe">pic.twitter.com/JpkUoswGQe</a>

"I just like lining up everywhere and just being dynamic," Parsons said.

"It's almost like at recess for me. I feel like I'm a kid out there, like I'm going to go tackle my buddy. It's a whole bunch of fun for me. I just really enjoy it."

The 22-year-old has started all 16 games and amassed 13 sacks, 84 tackles (64 solo) and 30 quarterback hits. Twenty of his tackles have gone for a loss.

Thanks in part to his efforts, the Cowboys have allowed the seventh-fewest points per game one year after finishing 28th in scoring defense.

Parsons is also a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, but Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt may have wrapped that one up thanks to his 21.5 sacks.

Dallas, at 11-5, has also wrapped up the NFC East and will host a playoff game during Super Wild Card Weekend.