NFL Draft 2021: Dallas Cowboys pick Micah Parsons – Fans displeased

None of us saw this coming. The Dallas Cowboys didn’t exactly hide their intentions heading into the 2021 NFL Draft so, as a result, fans rolled into the event with a certain degree of confidence.

But much like last year, circumstances changed once dominos started falling. We knew Dallas was going to target cornerback, but when Jaycee Horn and Patrick Surtain went off the board early, we didn’t know what was going to happen.

When the Dallas Cowboys selected Micah Parsons 12th overall, fans expressed their displeasure

Besides the horrible off field accusations, Parsons had positional value and coverage issues to overcome.

The Dallas Cowboys have been misevaluating the LB position for years. They’ve repeatedly invested in the low value position. And they’ve been repeatedly bit in the “donkey” for it.

Rumor was Dallas wanted a CB early. The only thing that could change their mind was someone like Kyle Pitts falling to them. Again, that was at Pick 10. The Dallas Cowboys didn’t like who was at Pick 10 and decided to trade back with Philadelphia. Philly snagged Devonta Smith (we are going to remember this day) and we netted an extra top-100 pick.

At the end of the day, The Dallas Cowboys knew exactly who they were targeting in their trade back. Mike McCarthy hinted at it in the pre-draft presser – he wanted to add speed on defense.

No one’s going to argue Micha Parsons isn’t fast. Or stupid athletic. What fans question is the value of the linebacker position. They question the Dallas Cowboys ability to evaluate the linebacker position (see also Jaylon Smith and LVE). And they question Parsons’ ability to play in coverage (something that’s more important than run-stopping in the NFL).

The Dallas Cowboys entered draft weekend with most of their needs satisfied (“needs” being the operative word). Stephen Jones and company did their famous infamous bargain bin hunting which emphasizes value above all else. While this method has been known to blow up in their faces, on the surface, it looks like it worked this time.

Dallas signed three free agents, DT Brent Urban, SAF/LB Keanu Neal, and FS Damontae Kazee, for roughly just $7M total. And on paper, they not only appear to upgrades over the men they replace, but also can be penciled in as starters.

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This type of “need filling” gave the Dallas Cowboys a certain degree of flexibility early in the draft. Dallas could still use a couple safeties and defensive tackles in the draft, but they weren’t obligated to. The same can’t be said for the cornerback position

The only position the Dallas Cowboys failed to address this offseason is cornerback. Sure, they brought back CB4 Jourdan Lewis on a curious multi-year deal. But Lewis is relegated to inside play and is ill equipped on the outside. That’s why we expected them to go CB early. But when Surtain and Horn went early, Dallas adjusted.

Now the Dallas Cowboys enter Day 2 with CB as a ridiculous need. Luckily for them, options are available…

What do you think of Micah Parsons?