Cowboys parlay Packers’ 2026 1st-rounder into 21-sack Clemson edge rusher in ESPN mock draft

In the Micah Parsons trade late last August, the Green Bay Packers sent Kenny Clark and two first-round picks to Dallas in return. The Cowboys will redeem the first of those draft selections this April, with the pick falling 20th overall after the Packers’ Wild Card Round exit. ESPN’s NFL mock draft has Jerry Jones opting for junior Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker in an effort to replace (some of) what the roster lost in Parsons.

If nothing else, drafting Parker would be a start to filling Parsons-sized hole left by trade with Packers

In the Tigers’ disappointing 2025 season, Parker himself did not match the numbers he put up as a sophomore. In 2024, he came up with 11 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss, and a conference-leading six forced fumbles. In 12 games last season, Parker registered five sacks, 9.5 TFLs, and three fumble recoveries. Obviously, those stats don’t pack the same punch.

In his three-year college career, Parker produced 21.5 sacks, 41.5 TFLs, and 126 total tackles.

Writes draft analyst Matt Miller, “Edge rusher vaulted up the Cowboys’ list of 2026 priorities the moment Micah Parsons was traded. In this spot, they would get a long, tough, aggressive defender who had the best Senior Bowl week of any edge-rushing prospect. Parker was seen as a potential Round 1 player entering last season after compiling 11 sacks in 2024 but saw his production drop to 5.5 sacks. But the Senior Bowl reminded us of Parker’s ability to win by locking out blockers with his long arms. That is a powerful trait in both the pass rush and run defense.”