NFL Mock Draft 2021: Penn State Football’s Micah Parsons to Detroit Lions?

Penn State Football linebacker Micah Parsons lands in the top-10 in latest NFL Mock Draft 2021 projection

Penn State Football linebacker Micah has the chance to become the first Nittany Lion chosen in the first-round since Saaquon Barkley went No. 2 overall in 2018, possibly the first defensive player to hear his name called this year, and all but assuredly a top-10 pick.

There’s also a chance that Parsons will get to stay in blue and white in the NFL.

In CBS Sports’ most recent 2021 NFL Mock Draft projection, analyst Ryan Wilson has Parsons going No. 7 overall to the Detroit Lions:

"Parsons opted out, but he’s another player who didn’t hurt his draft stock by doing so. He might end up being the best standup linebacker to come out in the last 4-5 years."

Parsons is listed as CBS’ highest-rated linebacker in this year’s draft class and the No. 4 prospect overall.

NFL scouts and executives didn’t need to see a third season from Parsons, who opted out of the 2020 season, to reinforce that he is among the most gifted linebackers to enter the draft in recent years.

According to Pro Football Focus, Parsons produced a 94.8 run-defense grade as a sophomore in 2019, which was the second-highest grade the outlet has awarded in any college football season.

A dominant sideline-to-sideline playmaker, Parsons is equally disruptive as a pass rusher, which was his natural position when he arrived in Happy Valley as a former five-star recruit. In two seasons, Parsons produced 6.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, along with 191 total tackles.