Micah Parsons gives surprising pick for best player in NFL

Dallas Cowboys rookie linebacker Micah Parsons let the world know his pick for the NFL’s best player this past season.

“Cooper Kupp has been the best player in the NFL AND IT HASN’T BEEN CLOSE!” Parsons wrote on Twitter.

If we’re talking straight statistics, Kupp was by far the league’s best receiver in 2021. He appeared in all 17 games for the Rams this season and nearly broke Calvin Johnson’s NFL single-season receiving record, coming up 14 yards short with 1,947. 

Kupp also amassed season highs in targets (191), receptions (145) and touchdowns (16). He’s also the only receiver to average at least 100 receiving yards per game (114.5) this season.

Parsons might be the one giving the praise, but he’s well on his way to being one of the NFL’s premier linebackers after his breakout rookie season. Not only has the Rookie of the Year frontrunner made countless all-rookie lists, he’s also cracking all-pro lists along with 2022 Pro Bowl honors.

The rookie appeared in 17 games during the Cowboys regular season, Parsons finished second on the Cowboys behind Jayron Kearse with 84 tackles (64 solo, 20 assists). 

Notching 13 sacks in his first campaign, Parsons finished sixth in the NFL behind league-leader T.J. Watt of Pittsburgh, who had 22.5. Parsons was also credited with three passes defended and three forced fumbles playing in 16 games. 

For the effort, Parsons was twice awarded the league’s Rookie of the Month honors both in November and December as the Cowboys climbed to first place in the NFC East and a No. 3 seed in the playoffs — Parsons was the first Cowboy to ever do so. 

That meant four sacks and 10 pressures as a linebacker for the Cowboys in December as the team secured a 4-0 record during the late season stretch. 

Unfortunately for Parsons, his season was ended during the wildcard round to the 49ers 23-17. So now, he’s watching from home as a fan. As they say, game respects game. That’s the class you’ll get with Parsons — the rookie doesn’t let ego get in the way of praising his colleagues regardless of team.

Despite Kupp’s veteran status, he’s only 28 years old, meaning he’s just now hitting his prime. If Parsons is already playing to this level as a rookie, he’ll be a major headache for every offensive coordinator that plays the Cowboys for as long as he remains in Dallas.