NFL Mock Draft 2021: How much Micah Parsons’ pro day helped his stock

Penn State Football linebacker Micah Parsons was among the brightest stars during the Nittany Lions’ pro day that Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin called “a freak show,” last week.

One of the premier defensive prospects, Parsons’ NFL Mock Draft projections had been all over the map prior to him running the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds.

However, following Parsons’ strong showing, it seems that he has largely solidified his status as a top-10 pick in the eyes of scouts and evaluators, as well as some of the most recent mock drafts.

Ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft getting underway next month, Pro Football Focus has Parsons going off the board No. 9 overall:

"The Broncos’ biggest need is quarterback, but if Carolina and New England target signal-callers early in the draft, it’s likely five will have come off the board before Denver’s selection at No. 9 overall. Vic Fangio and company would have no choice but to enter the 2021 season with Drew Lock as the starter and take the best player available in the first round.Fangio can get the best out of Parsons at the next level and should put him in a position to make an immediate impact at off-ball linebacker."

Not only is Parsons the first defensive player chosen in PFF’s latest mock, he’s also just the fourth non-quarterback to go off the board.

After picking up Von Miller’s team-option earlier this offseason, adding Parsons could be a major upgrade to the Broncos’ front-seven.

One NFL executive recently told Victory Bell Rings that he believes Parsons has more upside than Tampa Bay Buccaneers All-Pro Devin White.

“He can be a game-changer,” a long-time NFL personnel executive tells VictoryBellRings, on the condition of anonymity so he could speak freely on Parsons as he still consults for several teams. “Devin White, who I loved coming out of LSU, Micah is a much better prospect than him. Devin was very athletic, very fast, you see it on the NFL level.”