2021 NFL Draft: Jets, Panthers fill QB need in three-round mock draft

2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, 18th overall

Micah Parsons has commonly been going in the top 10 of mock drafts throughout the process. However, there do seem to be character concerns with this player that may end up forcing him down the board a bit. Parsons is undoubtedly an extremely talented player, but it is difficult to judge his value based on the alleged character concerns being mentioned.

With this in mind, Parsons falls to the Miami Dolphins here at No. 18 in this 2021 NFL Draft scenario. Based on on-field fit alone, this would be a fantastic get for Brian Flores and company.

Parsons is an incredibly gifted linebacker prospect who flies around the field making plays on a consistent basis. He shows legitimate sideline-to-sideline range against the run and in pass coverage and is also an extremely instinctual player on the field. Parsons’ natural athleticism consistently stands out on the field, but he also has nice size for the position, which should allow him to play a stack linebacker role at the next level if he is asked to do so.

While Parsons is not the most natural player in coverage, his size/speed combination from the linebacker position gives him exciting upside in that area. If it all clicks for him in coverage, he will quickly become a massive weapon on the defensive side of the ball as a guy who can defend a variety of players.

If nothing else, Parsons should immediately be an impact run defender at the next level and make an impact for his team as a pass rusher on passing downs. Parsons is a tremendous blitz player and has had some success when allowed to attack the quarterback as a straight edge rusher in the past.

This kind of versatility between off-ball linebacker and edge rusher makes Parsons an ideal fit for Flores’ defense. They will obviously have to do their homework on this player, but the Dolphins will not find a better on-field fit for the team at No. 18.