Penn State fans are holding onto slim hopes that Micah Parsons will return, but his NFL draft stock makes that seem highly unlikely.
Parsons is projected to be the No. 2 overall pick in the latest mock draft from CBSSports.com. That site’s mock draft has Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence going first overall, as most expect, to the New York Jets.
Parsons is slotted in the No. 2 position to the Carolina Panthers, with CBSSports offering this analysis:
“Freakishly athletic, Parsons (for now) has opted out of the 2020 college football season. Carolina, meanwhile, has a young, athletic, physical defense … that is woefully short on experience. It also is missing a presence at middle linebacker now that Luke Kuechly has retired.”
Parsons opted out of his junior season in early August but reportedly has at least been considering a return to Penn State. Whatever he decides, I’ve written that he owes it only to himself and his family when making his decision.
Two other Nittany Lions are projected to be first-round picks by CBSSports.
Tight end Pat Freiermuth is in the No. 22 spot, going to the New England Patriots. That would be a great story and truly fitting given that his nickname is “Baby Gronk.”
Here’s what CBSSports wrote about Freiermuth, who will play his junior season at PSU.
“The Patriots never got around to replacing Gronk but Freiermuth, who is a proficient blocker who has the athleticism to line up all over the field, would again give this new-look New England offense a playmaking threat at the tight end position.”
Coming in three spots after Freiermuth, defensive end Jayson Oweh is projected to the 25th pick by the Dallas Cowboys. The scouting report on him:
“The Cowboys have added Everson Griffen, Aldon Smith and Randy Gregory but there’s still plenty of room to improve the pass rush. Oweh, a freakish athlete, needs more reps, but he’s flashed the type of potential that could make him a first-round pick.”
