The 2021 Dallas Cowboys draft did not go according to plan if you ask most Cowboys fans. At least not the first round of the draft anyway. Many fans had debated whether Jaycee Horn or Patrick Surtain would be the pick considering the great need at CB. Others debated whether Kyle Pitts would be a foolish luxury pick if available at 10, or the clear cut best player available regardless of need. Still others were hoping for Penei Sewell or Rashawn Slater to be there at ten to address the offensive line with one of the best players in the draft. The only thing that most Cowboys fans were in agreement about was their reluctance to draft Penn State LB Micah Parsons. Yet, with the 12th overall pick (following a trade back with the division rival Philadelphia Eagles) the Dallas Cowboys did indeed draft Micah Parsons.
The questions and concerns are legitimate. First of all, the Cowboys passed up on drafting a player some consider the best offensive lineman in the draft in Rashawn Slater. Micah Parsons is a physically gifted player but he has been labelled as a player with character and maturity concerns. He also opted out of the 2020 season so that is another red flag. Additionally, he only played LB for one season and he does lack the instincts of a natural LB like Nick Bolton of Missouri. Finally, the positional value at LB typically doesn’t justify selecting that position with a first round draft pick in the modern NFL.
Putting all those concerns aside, it is easy for Cowboys fans to forget that Parsons could very well be the best defensive player in the entire draft. He is more than just an off the ball linebacker thanks to his experience rushing the passer. It also easy to forget that the Cowboys could have easily drafted Parsons with the 10th pick overall but instead opted to trade back 2 spots with division rival Philadelphia and in return received the 84th overall pick in the 3rd round. That brings the Cowboys grand total to 11 draft picks with 5 of them being in the top 100. That is by far the biggest silver lining for the 2021 Dallas Cowboys draft. It is apparent that the team had their hearts set on drafting either Jaycee Horn or Patrick Surtain but neither player was available at pick #10. With a very deep cornerback class and the Cowboys also having needs at safety, defensive tackle, and offensive line, the additional draft pick is a huge bonus for the team. Despite the disappointment many Cowboy fans are feeling after the team drafted Micah Parsons, day 2 of the draft could lift their spirits.
For my part, although I am admittedly disappointed that the Cowboys passed on Slater in favor of Micah Parsons, I must remind myself that time will tell if they made the right decision. I have not forgotten that I was thrilled when the Cowboys traded up and drafted Morris Claiborne in 2012. I have also not forgotten that I was furious when they passed up Sharrif Floyd in 2013 and traded back to draft some guy named Travis Frederick. Those examples should serve Dallas Cowboys fans as constant reminders that when it comes to the NFL draft, we know nothing. There are no guarantees, and we cannot despair nor can we get too excited until it all plays out.
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