On Thursday, Penn State LB Micah Parsons had his pro day, and to say that he impressed would be a severe understatement.
Parsons wowed many of the NFL teams in attendance by running a 4.39 40-yard dash, which helps solidify the thought that he is one of the most athletic defensive prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft.
But is Parsons, who is an off-the-ball linebacker, worth considering for the Detroit Lions when they are on the clock with the No. 7 overall pick in the draft?
In a recent interview with Chris Burke of The Athletic, Lions head coach Dan Campbell talked about finding guys who could be the “core foundation” for the future of the franchise. While doing so, Campbell mentioned three former linebackers as examples.
Campbell: "How do we build this core foundation of guys that we know are our guys, and in four years we’re going to be paying to stay with us? Paying these guys because they’re the core foundation. … You build this thing properly and more are drawn to stay."
— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurkeNFL) March 25, 2021
In my opinion, selecting an off-the-ball linebacker at No. 7, no matter how physically talented he may be on paper, would be a mistake for the Lions. In addition, Parsons has off-the-field issues that don’t seem to be worth the risk for a team that is focused not only on rebuilding a roster but on rebuilding the culture in the locker room.
I would be very surprised if Lions GM Brad Holmes selects Micah Parsons with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
So, do you Dan Campbell’s recent comments hint at the Lions selecting Parsons at No. 7? I doubt it.
What do you think?
