Over the next four weeks WEEI.com will offer up a total of 28 prospects who could be potential Patriots selections in the 2021 NFL Draft. While the top five projected overall prospects – QB Trevor Lawrence, QB Zach Wilson, WR Ja’Marr Chase, TE Kyle Pitts and OT Penei Sewell – won’t be included, all other players at all positions will be considered potential targets for Bill Belichick and his staff. Today, we look at arguably one of the best defensive prospects in the draft class.
Micah Parsons
LB Penn State
6-3, 246
Resume: Parsons was considered the best player in the state of Pennsylvania and one of the best in the country as a recruit. An elite pass rusher and productive running back late in his high school career, Parsons chose to stay close to home at Penn State. … He moved to off-the-ball linebacker and made an immediate impact as a freshman at Penn State, with 82 tackles, four tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. … He was even more productive as a sophomore with 109 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, five sacks, four forced fumbles and five passes defensed. … Parsons earned All-American honors for his versatile work in 2019. ... One of the obvious pre-draft red flags against Parsons is the fact that he’s named but not a defendant in a hazing lawsuit against Penn State, head coach James Franklin and former teammate Damion Barber for alleged actions against another former teammate, Isaiah Humphries. … Parson’s opted out of the 2020 season.
Pre-Draft Buzz: There are some who believe Parsons has the most upside of any defensive player in the 2021 NFL Draft. … He has the sideline-to-sideline speed and athletic ability that’s become a staple for modern NFL linebackers. … Parsons has shown the ability to play the run, cover and still has a significant impact potential as a pass rusher. … He certainly has limited playing experience and is a work in progress in regards to recognition and reactions. But when he reacts, few can do it with the same kind of speed and athleticism. … After sitting out the 2020 season in part to protect the health of his two-year-old son, Parsons put on a show at Penn State’s pro day this spring. The linebacker reportedly ran a silly 4.36 40 time at 246 pounds, which would near the record for the position at the NFL Scouting Combine. … NFLN analyst Daniel Jeremiah slotted Parsons to the Patriots at No. 15 overall in his latest mock draft saying, “Parsons has the versatility to fit in New England.” … The Ringer compares Parsons’ skill set to former Notre Dame star and Cowboys Pro Bowl playmaker Jaylon Smith.
Why Parsons fits the Patriots’ needs: Bill Belichick has always known how to put versatile linebackers to good use, and Parsons would certainly bring unique skills to the New England defense. While the Patriots improved at linebacker this offseason with the return of Kyle Van Noy (Dolphins) and Dont’a Hightower (COVID opt-out), Belichick can never have too many versatile, playmaking options at the position. Parsons brings elite measurables and elite potential. Athletic linebackers are the present and the future of NFL defenses, with the Super Bowl Champion Buccaneers evidence of that given the title contributions from LeVonte David and 2019 No. 5 overall pick Devin White this past winter. Depending on how the draft shakes out elsewhere, especially at the quarterback position, it’s not too hard envisioning Belichick snagging great value with an elite linebacker prospect like Parsons in the middle of the first round.