Rated as the top linebacker in the 2021 class, we look at Penn State’s Micah Parsons
There’s never a sure thing when it comes to rookies. Every pick has risk attached to it and rightfully so. For every elite player, we’ve seen plenty of busts taken in the same position throughout the years.
Micah Parsons is as close to a ‘sure thing’ as you can get in IDP drafts.
When you’re looking to draft a defensive player in a fantasy football league that features IDP, you want to look at a few things. Age, position, ability to stay on the field, and intangibles that make up the player. Micah Parsons checks off all of these boxes and more, so let’s dive into the player himself.
Micah Parsons wasn’t always a linebacker
Before Parsons became a ‘can’t miss’ prospect at linebacker, he originally committed to Penn State playing as a defensive end. While it was common knowledge that he was an incredibly skilled and gifted player, he was too small for the position at the next level.
When he arrived at training camp in 2018, it was decided by coach James Franklin for Parsons to switch to the ‘Will’ linebacker role as it would be the most beneficial for his career. It seems as if coach was right.
Parsons led the team in tackles in his first year, but it was in 2019 where he made his greatest leap. He ended the season as the 31st rated player in the entire country by PFF, who also had him as the highest graded linebacker in all three facets. He naturally won multiple awards and was expected to continue his burst into greatness in 2020.
Unfortunately, the world came under the wrath of a pandemic. Parsons opted out of the season to prepare for the NFL and to protect his family from possible exposure.
Micah Parson’s fantasy football projection?
While NFL GM’s haven’t forgotten about Parsons, there’s a good chance your league-mates have. Opting out of the season leads people to fall into recency bias, which could help you land Parsons later in your draft.
With similar intangibles as the Buccaneer’s Devin White (the man who was the #1 IDP player in the NFL in 2020), Micah Parsons provides great youth (currently 21) at the position.
Not only is he a sure tackler and pass-rusher, but also shows he isn’t a complete liability in coverage; something that’s essential if he wishes to stay on the field in the NFL. This breakdown by Michael Renner does a great job illustrating the strengths presented by Parsons.
Currently he’s my #1 rated IDP player going into the 2021 draft. My expectations of him overall reflect that thought, as I believe that no matter where he gets drafted to that he holds the potential to be a perennial Top-15 linebacker in the NFL.
Micah Parsons is a 1st round draft selection in IDP leagues (and #1 overall in strict IDP fantasy football leagues). Look for him to become a long-term starter in the league at an elite level and someone to be the anchor for your IDP players going forward.
