Penn State Football linebacker Micah Parsons could be the first defensive player chosen in the 2021 NFL Draft, and his best fit might be staying close to home
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson sure seemed to coach the final quarter of his team’s final game this season with sights set on surging to the No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, might former Penn State Football linebacker Micah Parsons be the dynamic playmaker the organization tabs with that selection?
Parsons is arguably the most gifted defensive prospect in this year’s class, and would seamlessly slide into the role as the leader of the Eagles defense. Philadelphia ranked 28th in DVOA, but produced 49 sacks, the third most in the NFL, despite surrendering 26.1 points per game this season.
By season’s end, the Eagles were starting Alex Singleton, T.J. Edwards, and Rashad Smith at linebacker. Only Singleton produced more than 50 solo tackles, he had 75. After investing significant resources in the secondary last season, the Eagles might need to dramatically increase the talent level of the linebacking corps, and there’s no better prospect than Parsons to do it.
In two seasons in Happy Valley, Parsons proved to be a versatile and disruptive defender, capable of staying on the field for three downs because of his ability to be a playmaker in coverage, but where he really stands out is against the run and as a pass-rusher.
At 6-foot-3 and 243 pounds, Parsons produced 191 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 18 tackles for loss in 26 games, thanks to his blend of size, athleticism and field instincts that propelled him to become one of the nation’s most feared defenders.
Pro Football Focus gives Parsons a 91.4 pass-rush grade and credits him with 29 pressures in 127 career pass-rushing snaps. Not bad for an off-ball linebacker, but it’s worth remembering that Parsons was a five-star recruit out of Harrisburg as the top defensive end in his recruiting cycle.
Against the run, Parsons was awarded a 94.8 run-stopping grade, the second highest Pro Football Focus has ever given a prospect. Because the Eagles are in a division where they’ll face dominant and multifacted running backs in the Dallas Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott, the NY Giants’ Saquon Barkley and burgeoning Washington Football Team star Antonio Gibson, Parsons would be a significant step to fortifying the rushing defense.
Last season, the Eagles allowed an average of allowed an average of 125.7 rushing yards per game, so Parsons’ dominance against the run would be a welcomed addition. So, too, would be the ability to weaponize him all over the field whether at inside linebacker or rushing the passer off the edge.