Stephen A Smith makes a huge statement about Micah Parsons and Aaron Donald, leaving fans stunned

AARON DONALD and Micah Parsons – both former NFL Defensive Rookies of the Year and both All-Pros – but who would you rather have?

That’s exactly the question Stephen A. Smith was asked on Thursday’s First Takes on ESPN.

And while most would likely pick three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and seven-time First-Team All-Pro Donald, Smith had other ideas.

blacksmith explained: “I am fully aware that Aaron Donald is the monster, best in the business, deserves every penny, everyone, future Hall of Famers, he is phenomenal.”

But while he clearly has a lot of respect for the Los Angeles Ram veteran, Donald isn’t the player he would have.

Smith described 23-year-old linebacker Parsons as “something special” and even called him “the star of the Dallas Cowboys.”

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But his main reason for choosing Parsons over Donald was the former’s flexibility.

He explained: “Although Aaron Donald is from another stratosphere, he is a defender. He will be after the passerby, he will help plug the barrel.

“What he won’t do is fall behind in reporting as well. And the reality is when I look at Micah Parsons, the speed he has, the ferocity with which he attacks the quarterback, the fact that he has the ability to get back into cover and help out in that regard — this The level of flexibility that he has available to him has everything to do with why the Dallas Cowboys defense is as strong as it is.”

Smith credited Parsons’ ability to move around Dan Quinn’s defense as part of the reason for cornerback Trevon Diggs’ “sensational play” and for freeing Demarcus Lawrence on the defensive end.