July 8, 2026, 7:45 a.m. CT

Myles Garrett might be the preeminent edge rusher in the NFL, but Micah Parsons of the Green Bay Packers is widely seen as the best of the rest in what is being called a “golden age” of edge rushers in pro football.

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN compiled over 70 votes from scouts, executives and coaches around the NFL, and while Garrett received every single first place vote, Parsons — who had 12.5 sacks in his first season with the Packers in 2025 — finished in second place, and he never finished lower than fifth on a single ballot.

The voting confirms that the NFL still sees Parsons as one of the game’s truly elite players despite an ACL injury suffered in December of last year.

“There are two guys that never really get blocked in the NFL, and it’s those two guys — Myles and Micah,” one coordinator told Fowler. “You do what you can with movements and quick game, and it’s not enough.”

Per ESPN’s metrics, Parsons finished second in pass-rush win rate despite being double teamed at the highest rate in the NFL last season. At the time of his injury, Parsons led the NFL in total pressures and quarterback pressure percentage, per Next Gen Stats. He also leads the NFL in total pressures since 2021.

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A defensive coach said Parsons has “elite burst and closing speed,” with the “most rush versatility” of the edge rusher group.

The Packers acquired Parsons in a trade that sent two first-round picks and Kenny Clark to the Dallas Cowboys last August. He produced a first-team All-Pro season despite missing the final four games. Before both the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Parsons ranked as the third best edge rusher in ESPN’s vote-based rankings.

Parsons, who turned 27 in May, has five straight seasons with at least 12 sacks to start his NFL career and 65 career sacks in only 77 games.

While Parsons finished second in the overall voting, several players received votes for second place besides Parsons: Will Anderson of the Houston Texans, Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders, Aidan Hutchinson of the Detroit Lions and Danielle Hunter of the Texans. The NFL is deep in elite edge rushers.

Before the 2025 season, Rashan Gary was among a group of players receiving votes in the top 10. The former Packers edge rusher, who was traded to Dallas, did not receive a single vote entering the 2026 season.