When it comes to projecting what the Patriots will do in the 2021 NFL Draft, a lot of the discussion has focused on the quarterbacks they could potentially target -- either with the 15th overall pick or by trading up.
From there, the talk might shift to the talented wide receivers projected to go in the top half of the first round, or to Florida tight end Kyle Pitts. They all fill glaring needs in the Patriots’ offense.
But the Patriots also have needs on defense. At the top of that list would be linebacker, a position that is usually a strength for Bill Belichick and Co., but one that was such a weakness this past season that they had to turn to safeties and practice squad members to play full-time roles at various points.
The Patriots are expected to get Dont’a Hightower back after he opted out of this past season, which will obviously help. But Hightower is also about to turn 31 and he will be a free agent after the 2021 season.
The Patriots will have to address their long-term future at linebacker at some point, and that’s exactly what ESPN’s Toddy McShay has them doing in his latest mock draft.
McShay has the Patriots selecting Penn State inside linebacker Micah Parsons with the 15th pick. Parsons is widely considered the top linebacker in the draft, and many experts have him as the top defensive player at any position.
Parsons opted out of the 2020 college football season, but he was a consensus All-American as a sophomore in 2019, when he registered 109 total tackles in 13 games, including 14 for a loss.
While he might not be as sexy a name as the quarterbacks and receivers, Parsons would unquestionably be considered great value if he did drop to 15. And it is precisely because of a run on those quarterbacks and receivers that McShay has Parsons slipping.
McShay’s mock has the top four picks all being quarterbacks, with the Jaguars taking Trevor Lawrence one, the Jets taking Zach Wilson two, the Panthers trading up to three to get Trey Lance, and the Falcons then selecting Justin Fields. He also has the Bears trading up to 12, ahead of the Patriots, to get Mac Jones.
As for the pass-catchers, McShay has Ja’Marr Chase going six to the Eagles, DeVonta Smith seven to the Lions, Jaylen Waddle eight to the Dolphins (via the mock trade with Carolina), and Pitts 11 to the Giants.
Here is what McShay writes, in part, about the Patriots taking Parsons:
Dont'a Hightower will be back after opting out of the 2020 season and Chase Winovich has been disruptive off the edge, but Parsons gives Belichick a true sideline-to-sideline linebacker who can do a little bit of everything. And if the team moves on from Hightower after the 2021 season when he is set to be a free agent, Parsons would be the QB of this defense going forward.
You can read McShay’s full mock draft here (ESPN+ subscription required).