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It’s no surprise that linebacker Micah Parsons is creating some buzz a month out of the NFL Draft. He’s one of the top prospects this year and it could be argued he’ll be the first linebacker off the board in the first round.
Coming into the 2020 season, Penn State fans were excited to see Parsons back on the field after his ridiculous performance against Memphis in the Cotton Bowl. However, with players having the option to forego their season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fans would have to wait to see Parsons in the NFL.
There was always a question of “How much will this hurt his draft stock?” Turns out, it didn’t matter in the slightest. Micah Parsons is a solidified a first-round talent and now we get to see which team will take a chance on him.
Let’s take a look at five teams that could land the Penn State linebacker:
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers selecting Parsons at No. 8 in the draft could be a surprise, but it shouldn’t be ruled out. Head coach Matt Rhule and his staff selected defensive players with every pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. However, their linebacker core is still lacking. Parsons could be the perfect fit for that Luke Kuechly type of replacement to quarterback the defense for 10-plus seasons.
The Panthers could be in the market for a quarterback, but with Teddy Bridgewater still on the team, he should be more than serviceable this upcoming season.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are the main reason for chaos so far in the offseason. After trades with the 49ers and Eagle,s they sit with the No. 6 overall pick. If the draft starts off with three or four quarterbacks being taken, the Dolphins will be left with a bunch of options.
For starters, they could grab an offensive lineman or they could draft another wide receiver for Tua Tagovailoa. It would be surprising to see the Dolphins scoop up another wideout after grabbing Will Fuller in free agency.
Why the Dolphins could land their future linebacker in Micah Parsons starts with the head coach: Brian Flores. In the 3-4 defensive scheme for Miami, Parsons could act as a hybrid linebacker and create more pressure to get to the quarterback.
PHOTOS: A look at Penn State linebacker and NFL draft prospect Micah Parsons