WATCH: Micah Parsons versatility broken down by play
NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger shared this video breakdown of the versatility Dallas Cowboys rookie Micah Parsons has showcased so far. In Parsons’ second preseason game, Baldinger highlighted the range of plays made by Parsons in his limited action.
Micah Parsons NFL versatility
Baldinger opens his video with praise for the defensive schemes run by the new Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn.
“I give Dan Quinn credit,” Baldinger said. “He’s building this whole defense around Micah Parsons. And he should.”
His first highlighted play shows Parsons lined up alongside fellow linebackers Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith. While the play doesn’t go Parsons’ direction, Baldinger explains that he does his job as the outside linebacker and contains the play by cutting out the tight end’s block.
The next play, Parsons is lined up across from the center. When the ball is snapped he presses the center to show a pass rush, then quickly recovers to the middle of the field to cover underneath any passes.
“Because of his range, his speed and his size he can get underneath a lot of throws,” explained Baldinger.
On the third play Parsons is lined up on the outside edge again, outside of the tight end. “No tight end is going to be able to block this guy,” Baldinger says of Parsons’ effort. When the play starts, Parsons immediately drives the tight end into the backfield and contains the running back inside. After shedding the block, Parsons completes the play with a tackle.
The fourth play highlighted is a pass rush with Parsons lined up over center again. Following the snap, Parsons gets a strong push on the center before the left guard assists in blocking him. Parsons displays enough strength to shove the center away before pursuing the quarterback as he leaves the pocket. Baldinger is impressed with his speed on the play after shedding his blockers, as his pursuit of the quarterback led him to a quarterback pressure.
In the final play, Parsons lines up in man coverage against the running back. He watches the play develop as the running block enters a flat route. Despite being late to the pass, Parsons’ speed and tackling ability allows him to catch up to the running back as soon as the pass is completed, bringing the play to an end in the open field.
With his video evidence showing the range of playmaking ability Parsons is capable of, Baldinger is confident enough in his ability to make a claim about his future in the NFL.
“I think he’s going to be the most versatile defensive player in the league.”