NFL Execs awards poll full of praise for Cowboys’ Micah Parsons
Yes, we know. This isn’t the first time you’re hearing that Dallas Cowboys rookie linebacker Micah Parsons is having a season that not only has him pretty much definitively winning Defensive Rookie of the Year, but also has him in talks for Defensive Player of the Year. It’s probably not the last time you’ll hear it either.
Through Week 15, Parsons has 12 sacks, 57 tackles, three forced fumbles, and a 92.7 pass-rushing grade from PFF. He was also named to the 2021 Pro Bowl list on Wednesday evening, becoming just the 12th player in Cowboys history to make the Pro Bowl as a rookie.
On Thursday, NFL.com’s Ian Pelissero released the results of his NFL execs poll, where high-ranking executives from 23 teams vote on who they think will win awards at the end of the season. All 23 execs who participated did so under anonymity “to provide an honest assessment.”
These honest assessments had some high praise for the rookie.
A LOT of love for Micah Parsons… good stuff 👇👇👇 https://t.co/Vjyu0KpoFH
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 23, 2021
NFL executives praise Cowboys rookie Micah Parsons in annual awards poll
According to the poll, Parsons received an overwhelming 20 of the 23 total votes for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II had the other three. Unfortunately, the Defensive Player of the Year votes were in Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt‘s favor. Watt got eight votes and Parsons got four.
The other NFL defenders to receive DPOY votes were Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs (3), Browns DE Myles Garrett (3), Chargers OLB Joey Bosa (2), Rams DT Aaron Donald (1), Bears OLB Robert Quinn (1), and Rams CB Jalen Ramsey (1).
This didn’t stop execs from complimenting Parsons, though.
According to the poll, one NFC executive said:
"“Micah’s having a hell of a year. Every time we study them, he’s making plays all over the joint. And he’s such a versatile piece. Whether he’s playing off the edge, playing in the middle, dropping, moving forward — he’s sideline to sideline. He’s easily the Defensive Rookie of the Year, and I don’t know that he’s not the Defensive Player of the Year.”"
On the other side of the league, an AFC executive added:
"“Really, the pass rush is what separates him. He’s just got an incredible get-off, burst, so explosive, can beat you with speed, speed-to-power [and he’s] getting a better arsenal.”"
Although Pelissero’s poll results don’t have Parsons winning DPOY, there are still three regular-season games to play for the 22-year-old to continue to stack his stats. But, the hungry rookie will almost certainly go home with at least one trophy. Only time will tell if he goes home with two.
