Denver Broncos: Team may regret passing on Justin Fields, Micah Parsons
By Sonny Cohen
2. Micah Parsons, LB (Cowboys)
Since being given an expanded role, Alexander Johnson has proven to be a very good linebacker and he is penciled in to be the number one linebacker come the start of the season.
Alongside him Josey Jewell has drawn the highest number of snaps, and while he is a solid linebacker. Jewell’s skills are very limited and in the AFC West where tight ends are a threat every game, it is vital that linebackers are good in coverage.
That is where Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons enters the conversation. The 6 foot 3, 246-pound linebacker is able to do it all in his position.
Dominating in any situation he was put in. Parsons amassed 41.5 sacks, 64.5 tackles for a loss. He also created turnovers forcing five fumbles and two interceptions, according to Pro Football Network. That sort of versatility makes Parsons a great prospect for anyone who would select him.
Booger McFarland described the former Nittany Lion as:
"A guy who is big enough size-wise, but he also has the speed to play in the middle of the field and there’s nothing — I mean nothing — he can’t do. Want to (run inside) there? I say, OK, diagnose the play, go make the play — see ball, hit ball. Tight ends are not gonna block him — Micah Parsons is coming downhill. You want to say, OK, I’m going to line you up in the box — a little play-action (pass) there. OK, no doubt, I can shed, stack and release, and I can chase down and go make a play. Booger McFarland via ESPN broadcast"
Justin Strnad has not yet had an opportunity to show what he can do, and that could be the reason that Paton decided not to pull the trigger on Parsons on day one of the draft. Giving Strnad an opportunity to show he can be an elite player in the NFL.
But it is hard to see someone with the ability to dominate in all areas of the game the way that Parsons just pass the Denver Broncos by.