Micah Parsons was regarded as one of the top overall athletes in the 2021 NFL Draft, and the Dallas Cowboys landed the former Big Ten Linebacker of the Year when they traded out of the 10th spot - dropping to 12 and adding an extra third round pick to select him. The selection of Parsons did not disappoint, as the versatile all-around talent put together one of the most dynamic seasons by a rookie in club history. Besides earning a spot on the NFC Pro Bowl roster - the second Dallas rookie linebacker, fourth rookie defender and 12th overall rookie to earn a trip to the Pro Bowl - Parsons was honored as the first Cowboy to earn AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. He also became the first Cowboys defensive rookie to be named to the AP All-Pro Team. Through his rookie season, Parsons lined up at each of the different defensive positions and even handled a snap as the center on offense on the final play of the season opener at Tampa Bay (9/9). Parsons led the team with a club rookie record 13.0 sacks (tied for third by a rookie in NFL history and sixth overall in the NFL in 2021). He was also atop club defensive charts for hurries (42) and tackles for loss (12) while finishing fifth with 64 tackles. Lofty expectations followed Parsons into his second season, and he lived up to the billing, leading the defense and ranking seventh in the NFL with 13.5 sacks, while adding 69 pressures, 54 tackles, five tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries across 17 starts. He became the first Cowboys defender to earn first-team All-Pro honors in each of his first two seasons and was named to his second Pro Bowl in as many seasons. Parsons joined Reggie White and Aldon Smith as the only defenders since sacks became official in 1982 with 13.0 sacks in both of their first two seasons.
