Dallas Cowboys linebacker named PFWA Rookie of the Year

Micah Parsons had an incredible rookie season for the Dallas Cowboys. Following the strong start to his NFL career, Parsons was named the Defensive Rookie of the Year and overall Rookie of the Yearby the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA).

PFWA released their full All-Rookie honors on Tuesday afternoon. Parsons was one of three rookie linebackers to be honored, alongside Nick Bolton from the Kansas City Chiefs and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah from the Cleveland Browns.

Parsons played in 16 games with the Cowboys this season, starting all 16. He totaled 84 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 30 quarterback hits, 13 sacks, three passes defended, and three forced fumbles. Parsons broke out right out of the gate, establishing himself as a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate very early on.

The PFWA selected Dallas Cowboys LB Micah Parsons as the 2021 Rookie and Defensive Rookie of the Year; Cincinnati WR Ja'Marr Chase selected as the Offensive Rookie of the Year. Full All-Rookie honors: pic.twitter.com/B2Qx44F91L

— Pro Football Writers (@PFWAwriters) January 25, 2022

The PFWA Rookie of the Year honors are unlikely to be the last for Parsons

The NFL recently announced six candidates to win this year’s NFL Rookie of the Year award, and Parsons was undoubtedly listed. He was named a finalist alongside Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris, New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts, and Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.

Part of what made Parsons so valuable to the Cowboys as a rookie was his versatility. Dallas dealt with many injuries on the defensive side of the ball, forcing Parsons to play both at linebacker and on the defensive line. Going between the two positions proved to be no problem for the former Penn State star.

Parsons’ versatility is self-admittedly one of the best aspects of his overall game.

“I take complete pride in being the most versatile player in the NFL,” Parsons said earlier in the season. “I think I would put myself up there with the elite guys around the league in terms of impacting the game. It definitely hasn’t been a one-man job. The DBs help me a lot being able to hold the receivers so that way I can get the pressure and sacks and things like that. (But) I think I do a lot of very different things on the defense that change the game.”

Coming into the season, defense was the Cowboys’ biggest question mark. After selecting Parsons 12th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Cowboys hoped that they found a future cornerstone. But to say that they expected Parsons to make the impact he did right away would be a stretch. Regardless, Parsons proved that he is not only a viable winner for Rookie of the Year awards, but that he’s one of the top defensive players in the entire league.