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It was the Giants’ turn to draft. Micah Parsons was the best player available, and the visions of two Penn State alumni sharing the New York spotlight began to crystallize.
Then the Giants ditched the No.11 pick – an unprecedented move by general manager Dave Gettleman – and let Parsons slide to rival Cowboys rather than pair him with running back Saquon Barkley.
“All of the pre-drafts looked pretty interested,” Parsons told reporters Wednesday as he prepared for his first game in the rivalry. “Saquon, buddy, has met him a lot, talked a lot with him. [The Giants] … Told me the draft, ‘Hope you hit us on it.’ “
In reality, the Giants were hoping to land one of the top two cornerbacks or top three receivers, who all came off the board between the No.5-10 picks. The Giants were concerned about some of the red flags surrounding the character of Parson dating from high school and quietly wanted him to be one of the top 10 picks to make their decision easier, as league sources told the Post at the time.
When the Eagles and Cowboys traded places so Philadelphia could steal DeVonta Smith at No.10, the Giants returned to No.20, scooped an additional 2022 first-round pick from the Bears, and pivoted to Kadarius Toney. The Cowboys got Parsons at No.12.
“Our decision has nothing to do with his impact as a player,” said coach Joe Judge. “We’re just making the best decision for the team.”
Parsons won’t spend too much time on assumptions. Giants’ defensive line coach Sean Spencer coached Parsons at Penn State and the two remain close.
“It’s business,” Parsons said. “It’s like that. Everyone has their personal choices, but that’s not a motive or motivation. I just know that every time I go out I’m going to play ball. They’ve made up their minds, Dallas made their decision, I think Dallas made the best decision, and I’m just going to show them why they keep making the best decisions.
Parsons has 17 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two defensive passes, and his versatility to blitz or cover as an inside linebacker, outside linebacker or defensive end has been a major boost for the Cowboys.
“The only thing I told the team today is that this guy on tape sometimes doesn’t look as big as he does,” said Judge, who has spotted the Penn State Pro Day in person. “Watching his college tape he actually had a lot of production on the rim that we looked at and talked about collectively. [how] this guy really gives you double value – stack-backer to edge-backer. “
Parsons wears the transmitter’s helmet as a defensive signalman – a sign he studied quickly as a rookie. The judge praised Parsons instincts as well as the physical gifts.
“I think this guy is going to be one of the elite players in the league,” Judge said, “for a long time.”
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