Cowboys Select Penn State LB Micah Parsons At No. 12
The Cowboys have added to the middle of their defense. After trading back to No. 12, Dallas has selected Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons.
[RELATED: Eagles Acquire No. 10 From Cowboys]
We heard during the pre-draft process that the Cowboys were zeroing in on cornerbacks, with the organization deciding between Jaycee Horn (South Carolina) and Patrick Surtain II (Alabama). Well, both of those players were off the board by No. 10, so Dallas decided to trade back, pick up an extra late-round pick, and still add a major piece to their defense.
Despite working as an off-ball ‘backer, Parsons registered 14 tackles for loss and five sacks as a sophomore in 2019, resulting in him being named a consensus All-Americans. The 6-foot-3, 244-pound defender also forced four fumbles in his second college campaign. The linebacker sat out the 2020 season, but that didn’t cause Parsons to plummet down the draft board; the player was always projected to be a surefire first-round pick, and that ultimately proved to be the case.
Speed and versatility should provide the rookie with plenty of playing time in 2021. Parsons has been lauded for his ability to cover running backs and tight ends, and his ability to impact the passing game makes him a unique player at his position.
Parsons will join a depth chart that’s highlighted by Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith, a pair of players who have shown potential but struggled in 2020. While Parsons may not possess the ability to cover receivers (a skill set the Cowboys have reportedly been seeking) he’ll still provide a formidable run-stuffing, tight-end-stopping and pass-rushing option.
Ohio State CB Shaun Wade Opts Back In; Latest On Other Big Ten Opt-Outs
With the Big Ten now on track to begin its season in late October, Ohio State will have one of its top players back. Standout cornerback Shaun Wade said during an appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter (via ESPN.com’s Field Yates, on Twitter) he changed his mind on opting out of the 2020 season. He is now set to play as a senior.
Set to follow the likes of Bradley Roby, Eli Apple, Marshon Lattimore, Gareon Conley and Jeff Okudah as an Ohio State corner to hear his name called in the first round, Wade will do so after playing a fourth Buckeyes season. He ranks as the No. 7 player on Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest 2021 big board.
Wade hired an agent but did not file any paperwork, according to ESPN.com. He is not the only one of the Big Ten opt-outs to reconsider. Ohio State offensive lineman Wyatt Davis, a potential first-round pick, also reversed course and opted back in (Twitter link).
First-round prospects Micah Parsons (linebacker, Penn State), Rondale Moore (wide receiver, Purdue), Jalen Mayfield (tackle, Michigan) and Rashod Bateman (wide receiver, Minnesota) opted out before Wade initially decided to pass on 2020. Not all are committed to skipping the season, though some still are.
Penn State coach James Franklin said the door is open for Parsons to play as a junior, according to PennLive.com, while Purdue HC Jeff Brohm intends to check on Moore’s status now that the conference timetable has changed. Bateman, however, does not plan to opt back in, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. The Golden Gophers standout wideout has asthma and cited health concerns as a reason he will skip the COVID-19-altered season to prepare for the draft. Despite playing just one full season with the Wolverines, Mayfield plans to stick with his decision to bypass his junior season, per the Detroit Free Press.
Top LB Prospect Micah Parsons To Opt Out, Enter 2021 Draft
The 2021 first round may not feature too many highlight reels from the 2020 season. Another first-round prospect will opt out, with Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons announcing (Instagram link) he will not play this season.
Parsons will enter the 2021 NFL draft. He is expected to be a surefire first-round pick. The two-year Nittany Lions contributor rates as the No. 6 overall prospect on Todd McShay’s initial list. While Joe Burrow illustrated how much draft stocks can change in a season, Parsons appears a safe bet to be selected in next year’s first round.
Despite working as an off-ball ‘backer, Parsons registered 14 tackles for loss and five sacks as a sophomore last season. The 245-pound defender also forced four fumbles in his second college campaign.
A previous trend saw first-round-caliber players choosing not to play in bowl games. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the equation and forced players to factor in draft-stock damage ahead of their final college seasons.
The list of opt-outs so far: Parsons, Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley, Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman and Miami defensive end Gregory Rousseau. There will almost certainly be more players who choose to bypass the coronavirus-altered 2020 season to prepare for the draft.