Cowboys’ plan to ‘break’ the NFL Draft involves Micah Parsons: Jerry Jones is done being a laughingstock
Cowboys’ Plan to ‘Break’ the NFL Draft Involves Micah Parsons: Jerry Jones Is Done Being a Laughingstock
For years, Jerry Jones, the outspoken owner of the Dallas Cowboys, has been both a subject of admiration and ridicule within the NFL. As one of the most influential and wealthy owners in the league, Jones has cultivated a larger-than-life persona, one that spans both the business and football worlds. However, despite the Cowboys’ wealth, history, and star power, they’ve struggled to live up to their potential in recent seasons, particularly in the NFL Draft. The team’s inability to secure the right talent through the draft in key positions has long been a point of frustration for Jones and the Cowboys’ fan base.
But now, in an era where Jerry Jones is intent on changing his team’s narrative, the Cowboys are poised to take a bold new approach to the NFL Draft—one that could completely shake up the league and make the Cowboys an immediate contender for years to come. At the heart of this strategy is the 2020 NFL Draft, where the Cowboys selected Micah Parsons, an incredibly versatile linebacker out of Penn State. This selection, which was initially met with mixed reviews, has since turned into one of the best draft decisions the Cowboys have made in years. Parsons has developed into a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ defense and represents a key part of Jerry Jones’s vision for “breaking” the NFL Draft.
The idea of “breaking” the NFL Draft is not about disregarding the process or making reckless decisions, but rather it’s about finding a competitive edge, one that allows the Cowboys to consistently make moves that leave the rest of the league reeling. With Parsons leading the way, the Cowboys are entering a new era of draft strategy—an era where Jones is determined to never again be seen as a laughingstock in the eyes of fans, analysts, and critics alike.
The Struggles of the Past: Jones and the Draft
Jerry Jones has long been seen as a polarizing figure in the NFL, especially when it comes to the Dallas Cowboys’ draft decisions. As the owner and general manager, Jones holds significant influence over the direction of the team, including who the Cowboys select each year in the draft. Over the past few decades, the Cowboys have seen a mix of successes and failures in the draft, which has impacted their success on the field.
The Cowboys’ track record in the draft has been a series of ups and downs. From acquiring Hall of Famers like Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith in the early 1990s to several years of underwhelming selections in later rounds, the Cowboys have struggled with consistency. While Dallas has been able to find talent in certain areas, they’ve also been criticized for failing to address positions of need and making questionable decisions at key moments.
Some of the Cowboys’ biggest draft blunders have come in the form of high-profile missteps. Players like Greg Hardy, a controversial defensive end who never lived up to expectations, and some early-round offensive linemen and defensive backs who underperformed have haunted Jerry Jones’s legacy as a general manager. Even in recent years, some of the Cowboys’ draft picks have been scrutinized—like the selection of wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in 2020. While Lamb has proven to be a reliable weapon for the team, it hasn’t necessarily addressed the Cowboys’ glaring defensive needs.
For years, these missteps have contributed to the Cowboys’ inability to build sustained success in the playoffs. Dallas has often been a team that falls just short of greatness, and the draft has been an area where Jones’s decisions have been criticized. However, in recent years, Jerry Jones has taken a more hands-off approach to the draft, empowering his scouts and coaches to take the lead. This shift has coincided with an overall improvement in the Cowboys’ drafting strategy, and it’s apparent that Jones has learned from his past mistakes.
Micah Parsons: The Turning Point
Enter Micah Parsons. When the Cowboys selected Parsons with the 12th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, there were questions surrounding the pick. The linebacker position was seen as an area of strength for the Cowboys, but Parsons, who had been a dominant force at Penn State, was considered one of the top defensive players available.
Parsons was a linebacker who could do it all: rushing the passer, covering receivers, and stopping the run. His versatility made him a unique talent, and it was clear that he had the potential to be one of the most disruptive forces in the NFL. However, many questioned whether the Cowboys really needed a linebacker at that point, especially with pressing needs in other areas, such as the secondary and offensive line. As the Cowboys turned their attention to the 2021 draft, Jones knew the risks involved, but he trusted his instincts.
From day one, Parsons proved everyone wrong. The former Penn State standout immediately stepped into the Cowboys’ lineup and became a game-changer on defense. Parsons’ ability to rush the passer, cover running backs and tight ends in the passing game, and lead the defensive charge was unmatched. In his rookie season, Parsons was a unanimous choice for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, and he quickly earned a reputation as one of the best young linebackers in the league.
With Parsons on the field, the Cowboys’ defense transformed. Dallas had long been criticized for its inability to stop high-powered offenses, but Parsons’ playmaking ability quickly made him the centerpiece of the unit. His quickness, strength, and ability to affect the game in a variety of ways made him one of the most exciting defensive players to watch in the NFL.
But Parsons’ impact extends far beyond his individual performance. His presence has transformed the Cowboys’ draft strategy moving forward, and his success has encouraged Jerry Jones and the front office to reevaluate how they approach the draft. The success of selecting Parsons—a player who could do it all and immediately make an impact—has fueled the Cowboys’ new approach to acquiring top talent.
Breaking the Draft: A New Approach
The Cowboys’ strategy moving forward is all about taking calculated risks and targeting the most disruptive and versatile players in the draft. Rather than simply filling holes, the Cowboys’ front office, under Jones’ guidance, is now looking for players who can instantly make an impact and change the course of games. Parsons represents the blueprint for this new approach—someone who is not only a standout in one area but can make plays all over the field.
The NFL Draft is an inexact science, but Jones and the Cowboys are now committed to breaking the traditional mold by prioritizing players who bring an element of surprise and versatility to the table. This isn’t about making splashy picks for the sake of excitement; it’s about making bold decisions that give the team an edge and allow them to build a roster that can compete at the highest level.
Jerry Jones’s plan is clear: He’s done being seen as a laughingstock in the draft. He understands that the key to sustained success in the NFL is not just about drafting well but drafting players who can be game-changers. Parsons embodies that mindset, and the Cowboys will continue to target players who fit that mold in the future.
This approach also speaks to a larger vision for the Cowboys’ identity. Dallas is no longer content with simply being a competitive team; they want to be a dominant force in the NFL. To do that, they need players who can dominate in multiple phases of the game. That’s why Parsons—who can rush the passer, drop into coverage, and shut down plays at the line of scrimmage—represents the ideal player for the Cowboys’ future.
Jerry Jones: A New Legacy
For Jerry Jones, the transformation of the Cowboys from playoff hopefuls to Super Bowl contenders starts with a shift in the way the team approaches the draft. By looking for disruptive, versatile talents like Micah Parsons, Jones is not only aiming to break the mold of traditional draft strategies but also to redefine his legacy as a general manager.
Jones is determined to prove that the Cowboys can not only draft well but also consistently land high-impact players who can lead the team to the next level. After years of coming up short in the postseason, Jones is driven by a sense of urgency to turn things around. The selection of Parsons was the first step in that journey, and Jones is intent on making more bold, calculated moves in the years to come.
Micah Parsons has become the face of this new era for the Cowboys, and his success in the NFL Draft is a reflection of Jerry Jones’s commitment to rethinking how the team operates. For the first time in years, Jones is no longer viewed as a laughingstock—he’s seen as a visionary who is willing to take risks and make the tough decisions that will ultimately lead to a championship.
