Are both sides right regarding the Cowboys linebacker debate?

As usual, there are topics that Dallas Cowboys fans love to argue about even though both parties want the same end result. From the Dak Prescott contract debate to who should be the backup quarterback, every fan has become a Cowboys general manager in this world.

When I woke up this morning, I was presented with the best run-stopping linebacker grades from the preseason. I was surprised to see Pro Football Focus have two Cowboy rookies at the top of the list. I get the sample is very small and it is only the preseason but are both sides correct in the linebacker debate?

When Micah Parsons was drafted in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys, some people were elated while others felt deflated, to say the least. There are some in the community, including me, that think it is not wise to spend such high capital on a linebacker.

There are exceptions to the rule as generational players make any position a moot point.

I am in the belief that certain positions have a higher risk for injury or shorter lifespans. Some of us remember that narrative that runningbacks die off after the age of 30. Linebackers are in the same category for me.

Parsons has shown most of the linebacker critics that he isn’t just an off-the-ball linebacker. So far, Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has kept the offense guessing by lining Parsons all over the field. This is exactly how you gain value from the position.

It does help that Parsons is instinctive and one of the fastest players on the field. Some fans are waiting to hear critics eat crow but we weren’t wrong either.

What people have to understand is we were not criticizing Micah Parsons the player, we were criticizing the position. His off-the-field concerns are another matter.

Jabril Cox is the exact thing we were talking about. He is rated slightly lower than Parsons according to PFF yet the Cowboys used a fifth-round pick on him. Having him rated lower than Parsons with a bigger sample size makes our point for us also.