Green Bay Packers edge-rusher Micah Parsons made quite the impact in his first year with the team — even if it was cut short due to injury.
The 26-year-old Penn State alum recorded 79 pressures, 51 hurries, 41 tackles, 14 QB hits, 12.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and 2 forced fumbles, per Pro Football Focus, before suffering a season-ending ACL injury.
And that was all with very little pass-rush support from his teammates, outside of Rashan Gary (60 pressures, 40 hurries, 7.5 sacks).
However, the good news for Parsons is the team acquired a little more help for him next season in adding defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, linebackers Zaire Franklin and T.J. Quinn, and defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton.
Parsons Sends Message to Packers Draft Pick
GettyThe Green Bay Packers selected Penn State’s Dani Dennis-Sutton in Round 4 of the 2026 NFL draft
Though he’s expected to compete for playing time with Lukas Van Ness, Carl Brooks, and Brenton Cox Jr. along the defensive line, Dennis-Sutton could see a solid workload as a rookie.
Parsons is seemingly fired up about his new teammate, who disclosed to the media on Friday what Parsons told him immediately after he was selected 120th overall in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL draft.
“’Just be ready to work’ — that’s the biggest thing he said,” Dennis-Sutton told reporters on Friday of what Parsons said to him. “’Don’t worry about anything outside of working, man,’ so I’m here for the team, whatever the team needs me to do, I’m ready to work.”
Dennis-Sutton was one the more productive pass-rushers in college football last season.
He totaled 51 pressures, 29 hurries, 42 tackles, 14 QB hits, 12 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. In four years with Penn State, Dennis-Sutton accounted for 47 pressures, 86 hurries, 36 QB hits, 34.5 tackles for loss, 23.5 sacks, 7 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries.
Packers Rave About Dennis-Sutton’s Upside
GettyDani Dennis-Sutton joined the Green Bay Packers on Friday
General manager Brian Gutekunst even seemed downright giddy speaking to reporters about Dennis-Sutton after selecting him in Round 4.
Some analysts even went as far as to say Dennis-Sutton could’ve been the steal of the round.
“First of all, his production is really, really good,” Gutekunst said. “His size, his speed, and I just think he’s got so much in front of him as far as his best football goes. He’s an elite athlete for a guy who’s almost 6-6 and played around 265 (pounds).
“His ability to come off the edge and rush the passer, affect the passer — he can bull-rush, he can move with speed, his length affects the passer, he can set edges — so I think he’s got a lot to offer and a lot of really good football in front of him.”
Gutekunst’s assessment seems to fall in line with what most draft analysts said about Dennis-Sutton pre-draft.
“Physically, he’s impressive — tall, long, powerful, and explosive, with elite combine testing that confirms his top-tier athletic profile,” The Ringer’s Todd McShay wrote. “That shows up on tape, too: He can overwhelm blockers with speed-to-power skill and close quickly in pursuit. … Against the run, he has the tools to be dominant — length, strength, and the ability to set a firm edge.”
Micah Parsons Sent Packers Rookie Clear Message Immediately After Draft