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NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

NittanyCentral

NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

Is Micah Parsons the Best Edge Rusher in the NFL?

Micah Parsons

Micah Parsons, fresh off his 97 ranking in Madden, is used to receiving his fair share of accolades.

But, is Parsons the best edge rusher in the game? NFL Insider Matt Lombardo thinks so.

The amount of talent at the EDGE position is outrageous. Here are my top-5 pass rushers for the 2023 #NFL season | @HeavyOnSports

MORE: https://t.co/ROXlXL2bAA pic.twitter.com/ihOgrrCOvf

— Matt Lombardo 🏈 (@MattLombardoNFL) July 25, 2023

Heavy on Sports’ Matt Lombardo released his rankings for the top 5 edge rushers in the NFL, ahead of the 2023 NFL season. Lombardo lists The Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons topped the list, beating out Nick Bosa, Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby and T.J. Watt, as his top-5: 

The has been speculation that Micah Parsons will be moving back to his natural position, defensive end, full-time in 2023. That would horrifying news for opposing quarterbacks, if Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn would buy in.

Parsons‘ explosiveness is unmatched, as is his versatility to get after quarterbacks off the edge, or wreak havoc as an inside linebacker. A strong case can be made that Parsons is the most disruptive defensive player in the NFL, by a fairly wide margin.

Over the past two seasons since being chosen in the first-round out of Penn State, Parsons 26.5 sacks, and Pro Football Focus credits him with 157 quarterback pressures over that span. Just imagine how prolific Parsons is going to be rushing the passer on every down. Parsons just might finally take home his first Defensive Player of The Year Award.

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Parsons’ sophomore campaign in the NFL saw him earn All-Pro honors with 13.5 sacks, topping his impressive first year total of 13.  The former first-round NFL Draft pick, out of Penn State, also forced 3 fumbles and recovered 3 fumbles for the Cowboys, who fell in the first round of the 2023 NFL playoffs. 

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Evan Smith is an alum of Penn State (Marketing, Economics, 2011) and a basketball season ticket holder since 2006.

NittanyCentral is his second reporting job following the Men's Basketball program. He co-founded and co-hosts the Shots Gotta Fall - The Penn State Basketball Podcast (the premiere, the best, the only) with Steve Travis.

Smith's most proud moment covering the team was seeing the national No. 9 ranking during Pat Chambers' last year. His most embarrassing moment was spending almost a thousand dollars to travel 2,000 miles in 46 hours to watch the Nittany Lions lose to Temple in the 2011 NCAA Tournament (screw you Juan Fernandez).
Evan Smith
Is Micah Parsons the Best Edge Rusher in the NFL?
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