Micah Parsons calls out disrespect of Trevon Diggs: 'He deserves all the credit in the world'

Despite the success of Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs in 2021, NFL analysts still found aspects of his game to criticize. Micah Parsons, Diggs’ teammate and the league’s defensive rookie of the year, isn’t having any of it though. In an interview with USA Today, Parsons defended the former Alabama standout, calling him the best defensive player in the league last year.

“We’ve seen 20 sacks before,” Parsons started, referencing DPOY TJ Watt’s 2021 numbers. “But in this era, we’ve never seen anyone reach 10-plus interceptions. So it’s disrespectful to me, because I think he deserves all the credit in the world and deserves to be named a top-five corner if not the best corner in the league.”

Critics, including ESPN’s Ryan Clark, have highlighted how Diggs gave up over 1,000 yards through the air, but Parsons contends that it’s just part of the corner’s job.

“His (risk) is pointed out more because he has such a one-on-one position,” Parsons said. “People don’t realize that a lot of people gamble throughout the game. Even I gamble. Any time a quarterback gets outside the pocket, it means a defensive lineman gambled because it’s all really a contained rush. The QB should never escape the pocket. Any time a running back gets loose, that means you took a gamble as a linebacker.  

“As a football player, you have to learn to pick and choose your battles and what to gamble.” 

Cowboys duo to rival Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey

The former Penn State star revealed this week that he believes he and Trevon Diggs can rival any of the NFL’s top duos – and they’re only going to get better with age.

“It’s hard to say we’re the best because I know we’re young and we still make mistakes,” Parsons told USA TODAY Sports. “It’s hard to put us over (Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman) Aaron Donald, the greatest defensive player in history, with Jalen Ramsey. 

“So I won’t do it yet. But I think we can become them or even better if we learn together and stick together.”

In his rookie season, Micah Parsons earned defensive rookie of the year honors for his 13 sacks, three forced fumbles and 64 solo tackles. Going into 2022, he has set lofty goals for himself, including breaking the NFL sack record, and he even wants to take the INT title from Diggs.

The Cowboys kick off the 2022 season on Sept. 11 versus the Tampa Bay Buccanneers.