NFL Mock Draft: Could Penn State Football’s Micah Parsons go No. 3 to Miami Dolphins?

Penn State Football linebacker Micah Parsons is one of the most dominant defensive prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft, but various NFL Mock Draft projections are all over the map for the standout Nittany Lions linebacker.

Parsons has openly campaigned on social media for the Dallas Cowboys to draft him. The All-American inside linebacker certainly fits a need for the Philadelphia Eagles, picking No. 6 overall. There have even been some projections that have Parsons sliding out of the top-10 picks.

However, one of the more shocking projections was recently released by CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson. Wilson has Parsons skyrocketing to the No. 3 overall pick to the Miami Dolphins:

"Talking to folks around the league and there is little concern that Parsons opted out for the 2020 season because he is such a special talent. That said, No. 3 is a little high to hear his name called. It’s why the Dolphins could end up trading down several spots, especially with a team desperate to land a QB, and still land Parsons. Kamu Grugier-Hill and Elandon Roberts are soon-to-be free agents and Parsons has the type of freakish athleticism that we’ve come to expect in NFL linebackers — Kenneth Murray, Patrick Queen, Devin White and Devin Bush just to name first-rounders from the last two drafts — and he’ll impact the Dolphins D from Day 1."

Parsons would certainly infuse the Dolphins’ defense with an elite playmaker, after Miami finished last season ranked No. 20 in total defense, allowing 367.9 yards per game, but sixth in scoring defense.

There is no question that Brian Flores is an elite defensive mind, and has an eye for talent on that side of the football, so if the Dolphins keep the pick, Parsons could be an ideal fit for a group that finished the 2020 season ranked No. 12 in DVOA.

However, the Dolphins have been linked to trade rumors swirling around Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, so there is a chance that this trade could send the pick back to its original owner, the Texans.

Parsons finished his prolific two seasons in Happy Valley with 191 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, and five pass breakups.