FRISCO, Texas — A team’s direction in the offseason is indicative of the most pressing needs/previous season’s glaring weaknesses. For the Cowboys, many thought cornerback would be the first position targeted in the 2021 NFL draft. However, the outcome turned out to be more revealing on another unit altogether: the linebackers. The most impactful acquisitions during the offseason came at the LB group. Starting with free agent addition Keanu Neal, who played under Dan Quinn for five seasons with the Falcons. Then, the Cowboys’ utilized their first-round pick on Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons. Next, what may be the biggest steal in the draft, Dallas snagged LSU LB Jabril Cox in the fourth round.
Now, it is no secret that the unit has struggled the past two seasons and the offseason moves are evidence of that. With the retirement of Sean Lee, departure of Joe Thomas via free agency, Jaylon Smith’s regression in 2020, and injury-prone Leighton Vander Esch, the outcome of recent months is not surprising in the least. With both Smith and Vander Esch’s (team did not pick up fifth-year option) unknown future in 2022, both will have to elevate their game this upcoming season with the newly crowded room. The young players will compete and vie for snaps. Dan Quinn has added more weapons at his disposal in the middle of the Cowboys’ defense.
For Micah Parsons, words that have been stressed by coaches and personnel to describe him are “pressure” and “multi-positional.” Whether it be defending the run or rushing the passer near the line of scrimmage or dropping back into coverage at Mike (middle), Will (weak side), or Sam (strong side), Parsons has the capability to perform all three roles in Dallas.
“He has the ability to play all three positions on and off the ball,” head coach Mike McCarthy reiterated to media in Parsons’ introductory press conference. “The conversations Dan [Quinn] and I had this morning as he was meeting with the defensive staff, we were starting to plan packages and personnel groups. We just want to get Micah here, get him comfortable in the room and it is going to be more about selecting not only what he can do, but how it fits everybody else. Once again, he is a multi-dimensional and multi-positional player for us.”
Parsons possesses position versatility in its truest form- a coveted trait to Mike McCarthy. He is a ball hunter. The Penn State product was a one-year starter at weak side linebacker in Brent Pry’s 4-3 base scheme. The pass rusher turned linebacker only has a small sample size at the position which makes his ability more impressive. Attending the “linebacker U,” Parsons was the first sophomore to become the Big 10 Linebacker of the Year in the conference’s 125-year history and a Consensus All-American in 2019 after playing the position for only two seasons.
He plays with a physicality that Dallas has been lacking on defense. Parsons has outstanding sideline range, quick change-of-direction (getting forward or sideways in a hurry), effective at getting to the quarterback on blitzes, and is an explosive downhill player. He bursts through gaps in pursuit of the ball and will be a handful for NFC East offenses.
For Jabril Cox, the Cowboys’ steal in the fourth round, a phrase that has become synonymous with his ability is “space athlete.”
“The game now- from what we learn from the coaches- is that it’s a space game. You need players who are able to make plays in space,” vice president of player personnel, Will McClay described to media in the post-draft press conference. “The prevalence of tight ends and slot games and the different things you have to do with players that can accomplish that. Guys that can play in space, who can run and have length, they were attractive to us. [Cox] stood out to us because of his abilities that he showed at North Dakota State and LSU.”
Prior to being a one-year starter at LSU in the SEC, Cox was a key cornerstone in North Dakota State’s defense, guiding the team to three FCS Championships that were held at the Star’s indoor field in Frisco. He said the area “felt like home” and now, it is. With the Tigers for his final collegiate season, he lined up as an outside linebacker in their 3-4 scheme. He became a team captain, and his leadership qualities will certainly benefit the Cowboys’ locker room. Sean Lee was the unquestioned leader of the squad and with his absence, the Cowboys’ need a vocal leader.
A two-time first-team All-American and tackle leader at North Dakota State, he is disruptive in coverage. Cox is a high-character player with an impressive resume- 316 tackles and 38.5 tackles for loss over 48 career starts. His spatial awareness and anticipation of where the quarterback is going to throw the football are rare.
Cox was projected to go in the second or third but fell to the fourth. Likely, because of either medical questions- he underwent shoulder surgery a year ago and did not participate in LSU’s main Pro Day due to a hamstring strain, or deficiencies in his game- inconsistent run fits and poor tackling technique. However, his upside as an off-the ball linebacker is tremendous. Pairing up against tight ends, covering the slot, or dropping in zone, Cox was effective at both North Dakota State and LSU. In 2020 for LSU, he was the third-highest graded Power 5 off-ball linebacker in coverage and in 2018 and 2019 for North Dakota State, he notched an 85.2 coverage grade per PFF.
Dan Quinn had a plan and he executed it. Both Parsons and Cox’s skillsets will complement one another in the middle of the Cowboys’ defense. Micah Parsons’ strength is attacking the line of scrimmage and Jabril Cox’s is playing in space- a matchmade in heaven. Both will be exciting players to watch as they gear up for their rookie campaigns in Dallas. Get the popcorn ready!
