Cowboys Replace Micah Parsons with 12.5-Sack DE in NFL Prediction

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Cowboys Replace Micah Parsons with 12.5-Sack DE in NFL Prediction

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Will Chesanek | Last updated Apr 22, 2026 7:07 AM ET

Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys had a mediocre 2025 NFL season last year under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, going 7-9-1 on the season. The Cowboys had an exciting offense (No. 2 in the NFL in passing yards per game) led by quarterback Dak Prescott.

Prescott threw for 4,552 yards and 30 touchdowns, with wide receiver George Pickens registering team highs in receptions (93, No. 8 in the NFL), receiving yards (1,429, No. 3 in the NFL) and touchdowns (9, No. 8 in the NFL). The defense, on the other hand, was an entirely different story for Dallas last season. First-year defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus led one of the worst defenses in the NFL last season.

Dallas Cowboys cheerleader enter the stadium.Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports via Imagn Images

The pass rush was unable to overcome the trade of linebacker Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers before the start of the year, registering only 35 sacks on the season, 24th in the NFL. The 251.5 passing yards per game were the most allowed in the NFL.

Yahoo Sports NFL writers Nate Tice and Charles McDonald teamed up on a 2026 NFL mock draft, with Tice making the even-numbered selections and McDonald handling the odd-numbered picks. It appears Tice agrees that the Cowboys could use help with their pass rush, having Akheem Mesidor, a pass rusher for the Miami Hurricanes, selected with their No. 20 overall pick.

Mesidor played six seasons of college football, beginning his career with the West Virginia Mountaineers before transferring to the Miami Hurricanes for his final four years. He developed into a cornerstone of Miami’s defense, recording 138 tackles, 26 sacks and five forced fumbles. His standout 2025 season featured 12.5 sacks, earning him first-team All-ACC honors.

"Dallas double dips on defense here by taking the other Miami pass rusher," Tice wrote. "Akheem Mesidor. He isn’t as complete a player as his teammate Rueben Bain Jr., and he’s already turned 25 after six years of college football, but quite frankly, the options at edge rusher have thinned out quickly here. Dallas could still use some more pass-rush juice off the edge to pair with Quinnen Williams, and the Cowboys snag it here."