'Parsons Effect' is something Cowboys must capitalize on in 2024

Micah Parsons demands attention. Posting 13 or more sacks in each of his first three seasons in Dallas, Parsons is on a historic pace. Only 14 players have posted more 13-plus sack seasons than him in a career, and just three of them have eclipsed five.

Very few players, if any, bring the level of gravity Parsons brings to the field. Offenses scheme for him on nearly every play. They identify and often roll protection into his direction, chip blocking him, double teaming him and sometimes even triple teaming him into neutralization. They seemingly do it all and it still doesn’t stop the Cowboys All-Pro edge rusher.

According to ESPN’s pass rush win rate (PRWR) Parsons was the No. 1 edge in the NFL in 2023, a full five percent higher than second place Myles Garrett. He was also double-teamed at the highest rate, a full six percent more often than second place Garrett.

His mere presence on the field opens up near countless opportunities for his teammates, yet no returning teammate managed to post more than four sacks alongside Parsons in 2023. It’s tragedy that must be fixed in 2024.

The Cowboys aren’t exactly devoid of talent alongside Parsons. DeMarcus Lawrence and Osa Odighizuwa are both well regarded defensive linemen in Dallas, with the former coming off his fourth Pro Bowl season. Given the number of opportunities Parsons is creating, it’s difficult to explain how the two only combined for seven sacks.

The interior specifically is somewhere where Parsons opens opportunities. Playing wide on the EDGE, Parsons will often take wide angles as he rounds the pocket and reaches for the passer. The quarterback’s only way of survival in instances such as this is to step up in the pocket. It’s these situations where someone from the defensive interior has to step up and make a play.

There’s a reason teams like the Ravens repeatedly rank near the top of the league in sacks – it’s because there’s seemingly always a second rusher in position to clean up after the initial pressure player flushes the pocket.

Mike Zimmer, the Cowboys new defensive coordinator, might pay off enormously in this facet of the game. Zimmer doesn’t shy away from the blitz and is fairly well known for his blitzes up the middle. Using formations like a BEAR front and using second level players as pass rushers, Zimmer likes to send static into the heart of the pocket.

Since many opportunities are created after Parsons applies primary pressure, it isn’t necessary for these other pass rushers to win with their first moves. Try-hard players who pass rush with a plan can win with secondary and tertiary moves. Considering this, it’s easy to see why Dallas drafted players who were cited to have a “relentless motor” or “high effort.” They deliver the clean-up sacks Parsons creates.

Keeping Parsons on the move will help keep teams from so easily scheming against him. A deeper pass rush arsenal with fewer rip moves, that never produce holding calls, is also a great way to get more from the All-Pro Parsons. But at some point, others have to step up.

Defensive linemen across the NFL would love to have someone like Parsons on their team. His gravity pulls the attention of the offense and opens opportunities for everyone else on defense.

Can players like DeMarcus Lawrence take advantage of it? Can players like Sam Williams and Odighizuwa take the next step in their development and feast on it? Can Zimmer scheme pressure up the middle to take full advantage of it?

These are all questions that need to be answered in 2024 and with any luck, the answer to all is a firm “yes.”