The Dallas Cowboys surely found a diamond in the rough in Micah Parsons. The young linebacker was a huge reason for the team’s strong campaign last season, as his impressive rookie year coincided with the rousing return of star quarterback Dak Prescott.
The 22-year-old Parsons, who was selected 12th overall by the Cowboys last year, was a do-it-all weapon. For his efforts, he was named as NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and was named to the First Team All-Pro and the Pro Bowl.
Now, Utah standout Devin Lloyd, who’s expected to be one of the top picks of the 2022 NFL Draft, wants to follow in Parsons’ footsteps. While Lloyd had been “pigeonholed” by scouts as a linebacker, as New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy put it, he knows he has a lot more to offer, drawing inspiration from the Cowboys upstart.
“That’s definitely inspiring for a lot of players, just seeing what he (Parsons) did. I definitely plan on coming in and doing great things, as well. He had a special season, so I think a lot of teams are looking for the linebackers like that.”
While it would be a treat to see Parsons and Lloyd together, that’s highly unlikely. The Cowboys won’t get a pick until the no. 24 selection, and by that time, Lloyd, who was a First Team All-American with Utah, is expected to be off the board.
Parsons has redefined what a linebacker is, and maybe the Cowboys can find another gem late in the 2022 NFL Draft who could be a huge game-changer for them.
