byDallas Cowboys Mailbag,Nick Eatman&Patrik Walker

(Editor's Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in 'Mailbag' presented by Miller Lite.)

I recently read a story on DallasCowboys.com about the abundance of wealth at defensive end. I agree, so why not move Micah Parsons to his old position of linebacker where he can blitz, cover and with his speed go sideline to sideline? He has the speed, size and explosiveness of Lawrence Taylor to impact the game at all levels. And we don't have an abundance of impact linebackers. Is this a current miss?Neal Goone/St. Charles, MO**

Nick:First of all, the wealth of defensive ends is because of Micah Paraons. He's the reason for any kind of depth because he's the best pass rusher on the team and maybe in the entire NFL.

So when you look at Dante Fowler, Sam Williams, Ezeiruaku, Payton Turner and Kneeland, that's quality depth behind the elite rusher. But if you take Parsons away from that group, I think it's just solid at best.

Plus, I doubt Parsons is going for that. The top linebacker in the NFL is getting a little more than $21 million per year. I would think Parsons is trying to get double that on an annual basis.

Most importantly, I think he disrupts the game more as a pass rusher.

Patrik:Wealth? The reality is there are probably as many, if not more, question marks at defensive end than there are [now] at linebacker, so I don't see how moving Parsons to the latter helps anything at all. DeMarcus Lawrence is gone and that means so is his proven ability to stop the run, if nothing else. Sam Williams is back, yes, but from a torn ACL suffered before what was expected to be a breakout season last year, so reset that clock and also allow grace for him to get back to top form there being no guarantee that happens immediately. Marshawn Kneeland has a high ceiling, definitely, but it's only his second year. Donovan Ezeiruaku is an exciting addition via the draft, but how often do rookie pass rushers storm the league?

Possible, yes, but far from promised. Signing Payton Turner adds to camp competition, but his career high sack tally is two just two in 16 games last season. Luiji Vilain will possibly be fighting tooth and nail for a practice squad seat and Tyrus Wheat is viewed more as a special teams contributor than a defensive one, based upon his utilization to this point. Dante Fowler is the only other proven edge rusher outside of Parsons, so while there's an abundance of bodies at the position, the allegation of wealth is to-be-determined. Move Parsons around along the line, but keep him there.

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