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2021 NFL Draft Profile: Micah Parsons

21 December 2020 DRAFT LINEBACKERS


The 2021 NFL Draft is locked and loaded with a ton of star talent. I truly believe there are a bunch of can’t miss prospects, and one of them being Micah Parsons. Draft Profile below.

Background

  • Position: Edge rusher
  • School: PSU
  • Size: 6’3 245 lbs
  • Class: Junior
  • Opted out of the 2020 season
  • 2019 Stats: 109 total tackles, 14.0 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, 5 pass deflections, 4 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery

Accolades

  • Former U.S. Army All American in HS
  • Selected Freshman All-America by The Athletic, 247Sports and ESPN
  • Became the first sophomore in Big Ten history to win the Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year award
  • Associated Press All-America first team
  • Sports Illustrated All-America first team
  • PFF All-America first team
  • Bleacher Report All-America first team

Games Watched- Michigan (2019), Memphis (2019), Minnesota (2019), Iowa (2019), Ohio St. (2019)

  • Best Film- Memphis (2019)
  • Worst Film- Minnesota (2019)

Strengths– He is blessed with natural instincts and has a rare mix of fluid mobility, speed, and power. Elite ability in coverage & shooting the gap. Rushes from the edge as well as any DE in this draft. His versatility as a LB and a former DE will keep him on the field all three downs. Defensive coordinators are going to love this kid. They will be able to use him in so many different packages. Parson has only missed 11 tackles out of 188 attempts at PSU. For only playing the linebacker position for only 2 years, the football IQ he possesses is impressive. Alpha-dog-type attitude and toughness to go along with a high motor. Can easily shed blocks at the line of scrimmage or in the second level. Most importantly he was the heart and soul of the Nittany Lions defense and proved to be a true leader of that defensive unit.

Weaknesses- There is not that much that this guy does wrong. Probably the cleanest prospect in the draft. If you’d want to point one thing out, you’d probably like the see him become more consistent in drop back coverage, but it’s a reach in my opinion because it’s not a real weakness, just something he can improve on to perfect his coverage. Can bite on the play action every once and a while, but he usually has very good discipline.

Overall- Micah Parsons is a generational talent who is going to join a team and make a dramatic impact immediately. Though Parsons is fairly new at the position, you wouldn’t know it by watching his tape. I expect Parsons to be a DPOY candidate every year of his career, and to possibly make it up to Canton one day. Sky is the limit for this kid.

Pro Comparison- Patrick Willis

Pick Projection- Top 10

For more 2021 NFL Draft analysis and breakdowns follow me on Twitter @ajtorres1230. There is more draft prospects profiles coming in the near future.

Featured Image: Lancaster Online

Video: Clips via ESPN & Fox Sports


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