Analysis
5/5/23
5 min read
Up for Debate: Is Micah Parsons' Added Bulk, Move to DE a Mistake?
There is no denying Dallas Cowboys defender Micah Parsons is one of the most productive and dangerous defensive weapons in the NFL today. In his first two professional seasons in Dallas, Parsons has been named a First-Team All-Pro defensive player, finishing second for Defensive Player of the Year voting in both seasons.
Parsons has been the lifeblood of the Cowboys' defense and one of the best young pass rushers in the NFL. Drafted as an off-ball linebacker, Parsons was employed last season more on the line of scrimmage, where he was more effective as a pass rusher even as it took a toll on an undersized defensive end body.
"I'd say the trench warfare is definitely way tougher. It's a harder job," Parsons said in January. "I'm doing certain movements that my body's probably not used to, and you got to build muscle and build callus for it, build that toughness in it. The more I keep doing it, the more I'm getting used to [it], and the more I'm learning the position, I get better."
A move to defensive end could be made permanent this coming season. A few days after the Cowboys drafted DT Mazi Smith in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Parsons announced he was bulking up, with a hand-in-the-ground position change to edge in mind. The move is sure to result in more opportunities to rush the passer.
But will the added weight affect his play? We asked two of our experts, former Cowboys defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt and former Chiefs offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz, if they thought the move was a mistake.
Is Parsons' Position Switch a Mistake?
Wannstedt: Expect Big Year from Parsons
"Micah Parsons is going to be playing full time at defensive end, not as a stand-up linebacker. He's gonna be outside rushing the passer. At the end of the day, I like it. Last year, the Cowboys did a great job of moving him around. He was a fantastic player. But offenses, they have that on tape now, so they're gonna be zeroed in.
"The more reps that you can get at using one technique or two techniques at one spot against a set of tackles and you know how deep you have to get, you know how quick it's going to be before you engage, I think you get better, you get better by getting more reps. It's easy.
"When I had Charles Haley (with the Cowboys) and Jason Taylor (with the Dolphins), we would flip them from the right side to the left side, not as big a deal. You're still on the line of scrimmage as a pass rusher every play. I like the move. I think they'll get a great year out of Parsons."
Dave Wannstedt is a former head coach of the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins. Follow him on Twitter at @CoachWannstedt.
Schwartz: Why Mess with a Great Thing?
"He's going to be gaining a little bit of weight to play that defensive end position. I don't think he necessarily needs that. I think his calling card is his pure explosive ability off the edge and scaring tackles off the field. We saw in the playoff game against San Francisco, that hump move that usually you see from Reggie White or you see from Jonathan Allen, you see from bigger, stronger guys. He's able to do that at 245 pounds on Mike McGlinchey the right tackle because he's got the strength already.
"He's got an elite burst, an elite ability to get the corner that scares the crap out of offensive linemen. You tend to panic a little bit, get on your heels, open up. And Parsons has the strength to land a move at his weight. So he doesn't need to force gaining any weight.
"I think staying at whatever weight is manageable to continue to have that explosive power is the best thing for him. I don't watch Parsons and say, ‘Oh, man, this guy's got to gain some weight, he's too light to play defensive end.’
"I think he's a top-three defender, if not the best already. So he's already got the position down. Just make sure you keep that explosive ability, the ability to get to the corner to scare the crap out of offensive linemen."
Mitchell Schwartz is a former NFL All-Pro offensive tackle who played nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs. He was a member of the Chiefs' Super Bowl LIV-winning team. Follow him on Twitter at @MitchSchwartz71.
