Denver Broncos: Way too early 2021 mock draft predictions

1. Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

Micah Parsons is the reigning Big Ten linebacker of the year and a freak among freaks athletically.

In just his sophomore season, Parsons racked up 109 total tackles, five sacks, 14 tackles for loss, five pass breakups, and four forced fumbles.

At 6-foot-2, 245 pounds, he’s built like a defensive end but moves around like a defensive back out there for the Nittany Lions.

If we’re being realistic for a moment here, there’s very little chance the Broncos would be able to stick with their first-round pick in 2021 and take Micah Parsons.

At this point, it seems really pessimistic to think the Broncos will be picking in the top 10 of the 2021 NFL Draft, but anything thing is possible.

If that’s the case, maybe Parsons will be there, but the Broncos will hopefully be picking plenty lower than this, and Parsons could wind up going way higher than 10 anyway.

The Broncos could lose Todd Davis to free agency next offseason and they have already flirted with first-round linebackers in the first two years with linebacker expert Vic Fangio as the head coach.

In 2018, they nearly pulled the trigger on drafting Michigan’s Devin Bush before trading their pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In 2019, they nearly traded up for LSU linebacker Patrick Queen.

Parsons is a better prospect than both of those guys.

He has legitimate star power and three-down ability at the linebacker position and would be a tremendous first-round pick for the Broncos in 2021.