Micah Parsons #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
Micah Parsons is one of the premier defensive prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft, and following an impressive showing at Penn State Football’s pro day, just might have significantly bolstered his chances of being the first defensive player chosen next month.
Parsons ran the 40-yard dash 4.39 seconds last month, in front of an audience of representatives from 31 NFL teams, including NY Giants head coach Joe Judge and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Mike Tomlin.
But, teams at the top of the NFL Draft board could draft for need rather than talent, and there could be as many as five quarterbacks chosen in the top-10, which could make Parsons an outstanding value selection for a team needing a dynamic playmaker in the middle of its defense.
According to Pro Football Focus, the team that best fits Parsons’ skill-set is the Denver Broncos with the No. 9 pick:
This draft-day scenario could see Denver with its QB1 or needing to take the best player available to beef up an already stout defense. And that player is Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons. The do-it-all prospect excelled in almost every facet of the game.
He recorded a 94.8 PFF run-defense grade (the highest by a linebacker in the PFF College era), notched the highest career pass-rush win rate among 2021 draft linebackers (24%) and was timed running an unofficial 4.39-second 40-yard dash at Penn State’s Pro Day.
Parsons’ versatility to line up off the edge, or as the quarterback of the defense at middle linebacker alongside Josey Jewell could bolster one of the league’s more ferocious front-sevens.