ESPN NFL Draft expert predicts Micah Parsons will have a long wait on draft night

ESPN’s Todd McShay explains why Penn State football star Micah Parsons has been slipping.

Slated as the best linebacker prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft, Penn State football standout Micah Parsons has seen his draft stock take a hit and ESPN NFL Draft expert Todd McShay explains why.

“Micah Parsons has fallen,” said McShay on the First Draft podcast. “Micah Parsons is the best defensive player in this draft based solely on tape, but he’s got some off-the-field issues, some past character stuff and some things that teams are concerned about in terms of bringing things in. So he’s going to fall a little bit but, again, I think he’s going to be a star in the league. I really do. If you can move back and get Parsons and additional picks, that’s a win for Detroit.”

While the Detroit Lions at No. 7 feel like the earliest he could be coming off the board, McShay thinks Parsons could fall even further, possibly to the worst team to make the playoffs a season ago: The Washington Football Team picking at No. 19.

“Micah Parsons is going to fall a little bit further than all of us anticipate, so he could be a really good pickup and a value at this spot (for the Washington Football Team).”

And even though Parsons’ draft stock is falling, McShay would not rule out Parsons still cracking the top 10 as recently as a week ago. One team who could be in line to take him are the Denver Broncos picking at No. 9.

“I think he can go early. I think [Mel Kiper Jr.] had him going nine to Denver, which actually makes sense if they don’t go quarterback. But that’s one of the most curious thoughts in this entire first round. But after that, there’s so many teams. I think the Giants would be a good fit as well, I think Philadelphia would be a good fit. He’s going to go somewhere in that 9-13 range, but I have him currently as the No. 1 defensive player in this draft.”

Penn State football: ESPN’s Todd McShay has Micah Parsons slipping in draft

Even if there is a chance he could fall to Washington at No. 19, odds are Parsons will still be coming off the board in the first half of the first round. The talent is too undeniable for him to slip that far. He is also an ideal candidate for a team looking to trade back to pick up. So if he doesn’t go to Detroit at No. 7 despite Chris Spielman’s hopes to take a linebacker, where could he end up?

The Carolina Panthers, Denver and the Dallas Cowboys could all use him inside of the top 10. The New York Giants could really use him as well at No. 11. Another team to keep an eye on picking in the teens is the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 17. Raider Nation would love to see him fall to them with their mid-first-round selection. Of course, Dallas could also use a piece to replace Sean Lee.

Even if Parsons falls in the 2021 NFL Draft, he could be a superstar if he goes to the right team.

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