The Eagles did some wheeling and dealing during the NFL draft process, trading back and then trading back up to land DeVonta Smith.
The smooth-running wide receiver finally gives Philadelphia a No. 1 option on the outside, but the player targeted by Dallas two picks later is providing a tutorial for Howie Roseman on the importance of a game-changing linebacker.
Dallas traded its first-round selection (10th overall) to the Eagles in exchange for first- and third-round selections (12th and 84th overall).
With the No. 12 overall pick, the Cowboys selected former Penn State linebacker, Micah Parsons.
There’s no reason for Eagles fans to be envious or jealous of Dallas landing the versatile Parsons, but his first two weeks in the league have proved just how valuable a versatile, heat-seeking linebacker can be.
A true middle linebacker, Parsons was versatile enough to make the switch to full-time edge rusher in the Cowboys Week 2 matchup at the Chargers.
Playing defensive end for the first time since high school, Parsons has the league buzzing about what he accomplished as an edge rusher in Los Angeles.
He logged two tackles, four quarterback hits, eight pressures and a sack, along with Pro Football Focus crediting him with eight pressures and a pass rush grading of 90.8 – the second-highest rating among all defenders in the league.
For Dallas, the question becomes where should Parsons play on a regular basis, while the question Philadelphia should be how Howie Roseman can use one of two first-rounders or two of his potential second-round picks on a game-changing linebacker.
Below we’ve listed some game-changing linebackers, while hopefully convincing Howie Roseman that a controlled weapon at the linebacker position is a must-have moving forward.