Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons has been on fire these past few weeks. In the latest game, he racked up a game-high five pressures. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco couldn’t complete a single pass on any of them. This was Parsons’ third game with five or more pressures, which is the most in the league now.

Despite this, he was snubbed for the top spot on Ben DiNucci’s “best athlete” list. And that is Atlanta Falcons’ running back Bijan Robinson.

“I was only on the Atlanta Falcons for 5 days during training camp,” DiNucci recalled his brief stint with the Falcons. “But Bijan Robinson is the best athlete I’ve ever been around. Not sure it’s even close – Micah Parsons second,” he declared.

And Robinson’s performance in the 24-14 win in Week 6 cleared every doubt for the QB, if there was any. He impressed with his career-high 238 yards from scrimmage, 170 rushing yards, and a career-long 81-yard run against the Buffalo Bills this season.

In just under three seasons, Bijan Robinson has quickly established himself as one of the NFL’s most dynamic and productive running backs — a true dual-threat centerpiece for the Atlanta Falcons offense.

Since being drafted eighth overall in 2023, Robinson has amassed 4,172 yards from scrimmage, 26 total touchdowns, and has proven equally dangerous as both a rusher and receiver.

As a rookie in 2023, the Texas product burst onto the scene with 976 rushing yards and 487 receiving yards, finishing with 1,463 scrimmage yards and 8 total touchdowns, earning a fifth place in AP Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.

Overall, in 39 career games, Robinson boasts 2,916 rushing yards (4.9 yards per carry) and 1,256 receiving yards, consistently proving to be a matchup nightmare for defenses. His blend of power, patience, and open-field acceleration has made him not just the focal point of Atlanta’s offense but one of the most complete backs in football.

Falcons Head coach Raheem Morris spoke highly of the RB. “He’s the best player in football,” coach Morris said. “I’ve said it multiple times. I can’t say it enough.” The predictions were right after all.

Cornerback A.J. Terrell raved about the player and his skills on the field. “He just keeps better,” Terrell noted. “Everything he does just seems so easy. Then you look around the league and realize how special he is. The way he can turn a simple play into a huge, big play…”

While Robinson had a humble response to his peak performance, he admitted that he had an extra motivation for the Week 6 game since he would be facing Bills quarterback Josh Allen. And this friendly competition is understandable.

In that effort, his skills and work ethic seem to have even impressed DiNucci to place him on the pedestal before one of the best defense players.

In just five NFL seasons, Micah Parsons has built a résumé that already ranks among the league’s most dominant defensive players. The former Dallas Cowboys star and current Green Bay Packer has totaled 55 career sacks, 267 combined tackles, and 120 quarterback hits across 68 games, numbers that speak to both his versatility and relentlessness as a pass rusher.

Parsons entered the league in 2021 and immediately took it by storm, earning Defensive Rookie of the Year and First-Team All-Pro honors after a 13-sack debut campaign. He followed that with three consecutive Pro Bowl selections and multiple top-three finishes in Defensive Player of the Year voting.

Comparing Bijan Robinson and Micah Parsons is like weighing two different breeds of elite athleticism. Robinson, the Falcons’ dynamic running back, is a master of fluidity, combining explosiveness, balance, and vision to carve up defenses with ease. His ability to change direction without losing speed and his knack for breaking tackles have helped him pile up over 4,100 scrimmage yards in under three seasons, averaging 5.6 yards per touch.

Parsons, meanwhile, is the prototype of modern defensive versatility, a 6’3”, 245-pound force with a 4.36-second 40-yard dash and the power of a lineman. His rare mix of speed, strength, and flexibility allows him to dominate off the edge or drop into coverage seamlessly. If Robinson represents finesse and control, Parsons embodies raw, explosive power.

When it comes to pure physical tools and impact potential, Micah Parsons stands out as the more freakish athlete, while Bijan Robinson showcases the more refined, graceful form of athletic excellence. Whatever the case, DiNucci has made his choice. It’s on others who they think is a better athlete.

Regardless of every aspect of the league, Parsons would be interested in competing. However, before that, the defensive end is occupied with improving the Packers’ defense and something else.

Micah Parsons is upset over Penn State’s firing of longtime coach

Coach James Franklin joined Penn State University in 2014 and quickly built a program that produced players like Parsons. He has been part of the program for 12 years, leading the Nittany Lions to the College Football Playoff last season, although they were defeated in the semifinals.
However, after three straight losses this season, the program decided to fire the coach. The team first lost to the Oregon Ducks, followed by another 42-37 defeat against the UCLA Bruins, and the latest being a 22-21 defeat to Northwestern.

And Parsons was quick to disapprove of the decision. “Regardless of the situation at hand, this one doesn’t feel right to me!” Parsons wrote on X. “Coach deserved better! Myself and countless others wouldn’t be where we are today without Coach! Thank you. #Weareforever!”

He even went on to add how important the coach was to his development. Assistant coach Terry Smith will lead the team as interim head coach until the program can find the right replacement for the coach who spent 12 years with the team