Cowboys first-round pick Micah Parsons is the favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year

Many a Dallas Cowboys fan wanted to see the team take a defensive player with their first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, and while they traded back two spots before they did it, that is ultimately what happened. The Cowboys woke up on Friday better on defense which is certainly something that they have needed to focus on every day this offseason. Dallas had one of the worst defenses in the league last year and the hope is that new coordinator Dan Quinn can right the ship.

Micah Parsons goes a long way towards resetting things at the linebacker spot, they will have to deal with exactly what is to come with Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch later, and it is very interesting to consider how much playing time he will see during his rookie season.

Those in the desert seem optimistic that Parsons will play a lot and play well. Our friends at BetOnline released the first odds for Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year after the draft and Micah Parsons is the leading candidate for the latter.

Just because Parsons is listed as the opening favorite to win DPOY doesn’t mean anything, but it is encouraging that the Cowboys may have landed someone with that type of talent. Early draft grades are kind to Dallas so while consensus from around the internet isn’t going to win any awards, it will likely make some people feel better.

Hopefully the Cowboys see Parsons play at this level, after all the last linebacker they took in the first round did challenge for DPOY honors. That was three years ago though and Leighton Vander Esch is a long way away from who he was then.

Optimism!