Did Micah Parsons text exchange with Dan Quinn influence Cowboys' Mazi Smith pick?
By Jerry Trotta
The Dallas Cowboys' selection of Mazi Smith with the No. 26 overall pick resulted in mixed reactions amongst fans, a large contingent of whom had made it clear they wanted one of edge rusher Nolan Smith or cornerback Joey Porter Jr. instead given the positional value.
The debates will linger until Smith takes the field, but the Cowboys still equipped mastermind Dan Quinn with another playmaker; one that could take the unit to the next level considering how badly his profile is needed.
Smith was one of the top run-stuffers in the country last season and Dallas already has a borderline elite pass rush in place with Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Sam Williams, Dante Fowler Jr., and Dorance Armstrong.
At the end of the day, Dallas war room deserves the benefit of the doubt and Dan Quinn simiarly has done plenty to earn fans' trust.
If believing in Will McClay and Dan Quinn isn't enough, what about Parsons? Because he signed off on Mazi Smith in a text to Quinn early Thursday.
"Michigan DT," Parsons wrote.
Micah Parsons got his wish, he texted Cowboys DC Dan Quinn earlier in the day that he wanted Mazi Smith
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) April 28, 2023
(Video: @BleacherReport) pic.twitter.com/LUCjQsCwMt
Cowboys' Micah Parsons told Dan Quinn he wanted Mazi Smith.
Parsons wasn't putting on a show for Bleacher Report's live stream. His reaction tellingly was genuine and he capped it off by throwing a dig at Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown -- a co-host of the stream -- in saying Smith's arrival will help stamp out Philly's obnoxiously prolific quarterback sneak with Jalen Hurts.
That's not the only Smith promotion Parsons did, however.
The All-Pro defender tweeted quickly after the pick was announced welcoming Smith to Dallas. Parsons is excited to get to work.
Mazi!!!! Let’s go !! Man let’s freaking work!!!!!!
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) April 28, 2023
Later in the stream, Parsons sent a direct message to the newest Cowboy.
Micah Parsons on the @BleacherReport live draft show with a message to Cowboys first round pick DT Mazi Smith: “I hope you’re ready to be part of the best D-line in the NFL. I’m going to help you get sacks, you’re going to help me get sacks. Let’s get this Super Bowl.” pic.twitter.com/gBT3CwUSXM
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) April 28, 2023
So many levels of awesomeness.
The Smith pick might take time to grow on fans, but it's hard not to get excited about it after watching Parsons' reaction. The former Wolverine will only make his job of getting after the quarterback easier, and the same goes for the entire defensive line, which now has zero glaring foibles.
Parsons is a future Defensive Player of the Year and one of the best football players on the planet. Chances are he has a good job of talent. If you question that, Will McClay and Quinn are pretty darn good at it.
What more could you want?