2021 NFL Draft: Huge QB trades in pre-Super Bowl mock draft
2021 NFL Draft: 18th pick
Scouting Report. LB. Penn State. 18. 59. Pick Analysis. Micah Parsons. player
The Miami Dolphins might be pinching themselves at this particular point in time.
Time will tell how much they matter to NFL teams, but maturity concerns have come up repeatedly with Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons, and those off-field issues combined with his general positional value could wind up leading to a dip in draft stock.
Most mock drafts don’t have Parsons lasting past the top 12 picks, but what if the Miami Dolphins could come away from this first round with both DeVonta Smith and Micah Parsons?
They might leave day one of the 2021 NFL Draft feeling like they had two top 10 picks.
If the off-field issues are not a concern, Parsons will go much higher than this. If teams are concerned enough, a team like Miami with a very solid infrastructure and culture like Miami could take a shot on him and hope that he becomes the best version of himself as a person and player in their program.
There is no question about Parsons’ natural talent. His play speed is on another level, and he may be the most naturally gifted pure pass rusher in this class.
He’s a high-impact off-ball linebacker who can rush the quarterback and make plays behind the line of scrimmage.
In the 2018-19 seasons at Penn State (he opted out of 2020), he racked up 191 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, five pass breakups, and six forced fumbles.
His versatility in Brian Flores’ defense could be a deadly combination.