NFL Scouting Report: LB Micah Parsons (Penn State)

PSO’s original Scouting Reports strive to be uniquely valuable in evaluating a player’s future outlook by focusing on the four main subjects that summarize a player’s likelihood of succeeding at the next level including: Natural Physical Tools, College Game Film, proven Production, and overall Risk that each individual player presents to a team drafting him. For a full breakdown of PSO’s Scouting Reports, click here.

Bio

Pos: LB

Hometown: Harrisburg, PA

School: Penn State

Class: Redshirt Junior

DOB: 5/26/1999

Height: 6’3″ (87%) | Weight: 246 lbs (82%)

Hands: 11” (99%) | Arms: 31.5” (27%)

Bench: 19 reps (33%) | 40-YD: 4.39s (99%)

Interesting Facts

2019 Consensus All-American, 1st-Team All-Big Ten, PFF’s #1 rated LB (91.6)
1st freshman to ever lead Penn St in tackles despite only 1 GS
Played DE and RB in High School; 27 RUSH TD as a Senior
5-star HS recruit that also played varsity basketball
Opted out of 2020 season after 26 career games

Physical Tools

Pros

Terrific frame for a NFL LB — 6’3″, 246 lbs
Speed is at good as it gets — 4.39s 40-YD
Acceleration is elite to burst through holes
Twitchy and explosive (34″ vertical, 126″ broad)
Loose, flexible hips (6.94s 3-cone — 79th %tile)
Big hands (11″) to control opponent’s chest plate

Cons

Will benefit from an NFL strength program (19 bench reps)
Short arms (31.5″) may impact shed ability, coverage

Grade: A

Game Film

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k741ceB7Lr4&t=21s

Pros

Excellent downhill attacker that beats blockers to the POA
Consistently rips at ball carriers to create turnovers
Great at man coverage for a LB
Quality open-field tackler — keeps eyes on the target
Burst and explosion really show up when playing forward
Incredibly dynamic and versatile blitzer
Very instinctual despite his inexperience

Cons

Processing will need more development
Not the most refined playmaker in coverage

Grade: A

Production

Pros

Consensus All-American, 1st-Team All-B10 (2019), Freshman All-American (2018)
Monstrous jump from 2018 (77.3) to 2019 (91.6, top-rated LB)
Only missed 5.8% of tackle attempts (11 total MTs)
Ridiculous 94.8 run-defense, 86.8 pass-rush grades
38 run-stops, 14 TFL, 5 sacks, 4 FF
Average tackle depth of just 2.1 yards in 2019
Slight experience in the slot (121 snaps) and at EDGE (82 snaps)

Cons

Opted out of 2020 season after 26 career games
Subpar 68.5 PFF coverage grade (28/43, 89.3 passer rating allowed)
Only 1 season of ELITE production

Grade: A

Risk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpF7k-Pjbq4

Pros

Prototypical blend of size and athletic ability
Explosive gap-shooter that knives his way through the LOS
3-down potential — talented with plenty of room to grow in coverage
Elite in just his 2nd season manning the 2nd level
Recruited as a pass-rusher — very impactful blitzer
PSU defense crumbled without his presence

Cons

Relatively inexperienced in the middle of a defense
Read-and-react skills will be a work in progress
Opted out after 2 seasons (26 career games)
Extremely concerning off-field incidents

Grade: B+

Overall

A freak athlete with a prototypical build for the position, Micah Parsons was a highly-recruited EDGE but soon transitioned to off-ball LB at Penn State where he thrived almost instantly. After collecting 82 tackles in 13 games during a stellar freshman year, Parsons turned in a dominant sophomore campaign with 109 tackles, 14 TFL, and 5 sacks.

A consensus 1st-Team All-American and PFF’s top-graded LB (91.6), he decided to opt out of the 2020 season with 26 games under his belt. While he certainly would have benefitted from the extra development, Parsons displayed some truly special traits in his two years. Incredibly explosive in downhill pursuit, his background as an edge rusher flashes time and again whether he’s blitzing or simply reacting to the ball.

Though he’ll need some time before manning the MIKE spot, Parsons can certainly make an immediate impact as a stacked LB. He’s best when attacking and flowing forward, but there’s room for development when making flat-footed reads. Lacking refinement in coverage as well, Parsons’ athleticism, growth, and attacking play style are more than enough for a team to fall in love with as their quarterback of the defense for a decade plus.

Pro Comp: LB Jaylon Smith (Dallas Cowboys)

Projected Round: Mid-1st Round

Prime Destinations: CAR, DET, DEN, NYG, LV, WAS

OVERALL Grade: A