While he has made a lot of sacks during the past few seasons, linebacker Micah Parsons hasn’t really led the NFL when it comes to that category. But according to a new NFL analysis by NFL, the Dallas Cowboys star is projected to make the most sacks ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Parsons recently had a revelatory experience that shifted his approach to leadership. After the Cowboys’ last full padded practice in Oxnard, California, Parsons met with reporters and candidly admitted that he fell short in the leadership department last year.
The wake-up call came during the Super Bowl, when Parsons was sitting with NFL veterans like Richard Sherman and Andrew Whitworth. They challenged him on the Cowboys’ playoff loss and talked to him about the importance of maturity and leadership. Parsons took their words to heart.
During the offseason, Parsons also had meaningful discussions with NFL GOAT Tom Brady and Ray Lewis, seeking their advice on how to become a better leader. He realized he couldn’t do it alone and needed to mentor younger players like defensive tackle Mazi Smith. Parsons has become Smith’s biggest advocate, helping him improve in his second year.
Parsons acknowledged that the perception of him being selfish, like doing a podcast during the season, needs to change. He’s determined to shed that image and truly lead the Cowboys, especially with veteran leaders like quarterback Dak Prescott, Zack Martin, and DeMarcus Lawrence potentially on their way out. Parsons is ready to step up and ensure the team’s long-term success, both on and off the field.
Dallas Cowboys’ Micah Parsons Projected To Make The Most Sacks Ahead of 2024 Season
Apart from making himself more known as a leader, Parsons is also projected to make a lot of sacks ahead of the 2024-25 season. This can be seen in an NFL analysis done by Seth Walder for ESPN.
“Projected 2024 sacks: 13.6
ESPN BET over/under: 13.5
2023 sack total: 14.0This is Parsons’ first time leading this projection list and comes despite him never topping 14 sacks in a season. But when peeking at Parsons’ underlying numbers, it’s clear that an explosion into the high teens or even record-breaking territory is feasible.
Parsons has led the NFL in pass rush win rate — meaning he beat his blocker within 2.5 seconds at a higher rate than anyone else — in all three seasons of his career. The gap was huge last season, too, as Parsons’ 35% PRWR was well ahead of second-place Myles Garrett’s 30%. Plus, the Cowboys have one of the most favorable schedules of opposing quarterbacks, including matchups with high-sack-rate quarterbacks such as Bryce Young, Russell Wilson/Justin Fields, Deshaun Watson and Daniel Jones (twice),” Walder wrote.
Parsons played college football at Penn State, where he was a consensus All-American and the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year in 2019. Parsons was selected by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft and was named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year.
From that point on, the linebacker has established himself as one of the league’s best players. Dallas Cowboys fans will be eager to see if he can fulfill that projection in the coming season ahead.
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