2021 NFL Mock Draft: Dallas Cowboys Select LB Micah Parsons at No. 10

With the 10th pick of the 2021 DBN Community NFL Mock Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select...

Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

The selection and write-up were made by StefanKnee:

The Cowboys defense last year was historically bad last year and have holes everywhere on defense and also need help on OL. Since Sewell, Slater are off the board then that leaves defense.

Since Surtain, who I consider the clear-cut best CB in the draft, is off the board then the best available defensive player is Micah Parsons, who fills a huge need at LB. Parsons is considered one of the most athletic defensive players in the draft and would be a perfect fit for the Cowboys. He separates himself from all the other LBs in the draft and with his athleticism justifies picking him at #10. He can rush the passer off the edge, cover, good tackle skills and play sideline to sideline.

The Cowboys LB play has been bad recently and they need to replenish the position with talented, athletic youth. Parsons would be perfect replacement for Sean Lee who may not return this year, but if he does, his injury history and age suggest it would be a limited role.

Jaylon Smith has an inflated contract that doesn’t reflect his play. He has been criticized for not being able to make proper reads, late to react, takes bad angles, can’t adjust or make cuts due to his bad knee condition. Van Esche had neck injury and his play regressed greatly last year. The Cowboys can then find value to fill the secondary needs, CB and S, with their 2nd, 3rd picks and have an abundance of picks to move around in the draft.

Pokorny: “There may not be a generational defensive talent in this year’s draft class, as evidenced by the fact that only two defenders are taken in the Top 10 here. But Parsons might be the top defensive player in 2021, and Dallas desperately needs help on the defensive side of the ball. They won’t fix everything, but you have to start somewhere.”

The New York Giants are up next, led by Barry Shuck.