Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons has developed a reputation as one of the most disruptive pass-rushers and truly elite defenders in the sport.

Parsons‘ skill-set keeps opposing offensive coordinators awake at night and is the caliber of player a quarterback needs to be aware of before every snap.

Last season, Parsons posted a career-high 103 quarterback pressures, in addition to his 14 sacks, which also represents a new career-high. A cornerstone player along the Cowboys’ front-seven, Parsons’ career continues to be on the ascent.

One former general manager believes Parsons resides in rarified air among the NFL’s biggest stars.

Dallas Cowboys’ Micah Parsons Among Elite Players Under 25 Years Old

Former Minnesota Vikings general manager, and Executive of The Year winner, Jeff Diamond put together a list of the top players in the league under the age of 25, with Parsons coming in second behind only Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

“Micah Parsons is a three-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler since he joined the Cowboys as their first-round pick in 2021 (when he was the Defensive Rookie of the Year),” Diamond points out for The 33rd Team. “He has demonstrated his great speed and strength as a consistent playmaker in run defense (213 career tackles) and as a double-digit sack-getter each season (40.5 career sacks and seven forced fumbles).

“Parsons awaits a huge extension, which he’s now eligible for as he enters his fourth season. It should put him equal to or above Nick Bosa’s $34 million per year as the league’s highest-paid defensive player.”

How unique and disruptive is Parsons? Diamond lists only New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner and Baltimore Ravens defensive back Kyle Hamilton as the only other defensive players, besides Parsons, in his top-10.

While Parsons’ contract drama lingers over the Dallas Cowboys’ offseason, a motivated Parsons this season could lead to an even more prolific 2024 campaign than we have seen to date in his three-year career.