Players as rare as Micah Parsons aren’t typically traded in the prime of their careers, but the Dallas Cowboys decided to make that move. They sent him to the Green Bay Packers for two future first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. This leaves a massive hole in production, as Dallas attempts to replace an average of 14 sacks, 17 tackles for a loss, and 48 pressures per season.

The Cowboys didn’t have a defense most felt would be game wrecking, so they will need to find a way to replicate his impact in the 2025 season to be competitive. The easiest way would be for at least one of the three second-round picks to step up in their role.

DE Sam Williams

Sam Williams looked to be a possible game-changer as a rookie. He racked up four sacks and a team-leading 10 tackles for a loss. He didn’t have the second-year leap the team had hoped for, though, and then his third season was ended by a training camp injury.

He is healthy heading into the 2025 season, and his style aligns with defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus’ attacking front. Parsons averaged nearly 850 snaps a season, while Sam Williams has a high of 303. If he can maintain his production with an increased snap count, he could be a double-digit sack performer in 2025.

DE Marshawn Kneeland

Marshawn Kneeland doesn’t have the pass-rush pedigree of Parsons, Williams, or rookie Donovan Ezeiruaku because his game more resembles that of Demarcus Lawrence. He will be asked to set an edge and then get to the QB. Lawrence had two seasons with double-digit sacks, and in his second year, he recorded eight.

With a good edge rush group and Osa Odighizuwa and Clark inside, Kneeland could be the player left to exploit the matchups, like taking on tight ends or running backs. He must take advantage of these opportunities to offset Parsons’ loss and increase defensive production.

DE Donovan Ezeiruaku

Ezeiruaku looked special in training camp. An explosive first step, better bag of pass rush moves than most rookies, and enough bend and power to attack in a multitude of ways. He was second in college football in sacks in 2024 with 16.5 and fourth in tackles for a loss with 21. He will have a much larger role as a rookie with Parsons gone, but the team still has enough talented depth to keep him as a pass-rush specialist.

Could he be a rare steal like Parsons was before? Only time will tell.