Patriots: 3 perfect draft targets for Pats’ first-round pick

1. Micah Parsons

Penn State LB Micah Parsons would be a perfect addition to the Patriots’ defense.

Before he opted out of the college football season amid the ongoing pandemic to focus on preparing for the NFL Draft, Micah Parsons was widely projected to be off the board relatively early.

While nobody is doubting the Penn State linebacker’s talent, however, his overall stock could take a hit with a year off from the game and other players entering the national spotlight. If he ends up falling from a lottery pick to somewhere in the middle of the first round — where current mock drafts have him going — he could fall right into the Patriots’ lap.

As a sophomore in 2019, Parsons racked up 109 tackles (14 for loss), five sacks, five passes defended and four forced fumbles. Keep in mind that the Big Ten was as deep as any conference in the NCAA last season, so the fact that he posted those numbers while playing against stiff competition on a weekly basis just speaks to his talent.

After deploying an objectively uninspiring linebacking corps this season, the Patriots could end up rolling out Parsons and Dont’a Hightower, who opted out of 2020 following the birth of his son, at the position next year. Forget other potential additions to that side of the ball — that duo alone would change the entire complexion of New England’s defense, which has regressed in emphatic fashion compared to last season.

In the simplest of terms, Parsons has all the attributes to become the next great linebacker in the NFL. From rushing the quarterback, to dropping back in coverage and clogging up holes against the run, there really isn’t anything the Nittany Lions star can’t do.

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