Late February Mock Draft Roundup: PSUers in the NFL

As we get closer to the 2021 NFL Draft, taking place from April 29th until May 1st, let’s look at where our beloved former Nittany Lions are predicted to end up according to various gurus.

Draft sites used: ESPN (Kiper/McShay), NFL Network, CBS Sports, Pro Football Network, Sporting News, PFF

Micah Parsons: 7th, 9th, 13th, and 15th

• Micah is projected 15th to the Patriots according to Todd McShay’s Feb. 9th draft. He is believed to become the Patriots’ “QB of the defense.” McShay has him 4th overall on his Big Board of prospects. He scores a 93, which is in the “Rare Prospect” category. The description of that category is as follows: “Player demonstrates rare abilities and can create mismatches that have an obvious impact on the game. Is a premier college player that has all the skill to take over a game and play at a championship level. He rates in the top 5 players in the nation at his position and is considered a first round draft prospect.”
• Mel Kiper’s February 7th mock draft has the All-American linebacker going 9th to the Broncos, where he would join KJ Hamler and DaeSean Hamilton. Kiper believes he will be an inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense.
• Daniel Jeremiah’s February 16th draft puts Parsons 7th to Detroit. He would reunite with Amani Oruwariye, as well as join fellow former Penn Staters Jason Cabinda and Jesse James. Jeremiah touts Parsons’ speed and athleticism.
• Jeremiah’s NFL Network colleague Chad Reuter agrees with Kiper that Parsons will be in Denver in 2021.
• Pro Football Network’s February 21st draft has Micah going 13th to the Chargers.
• CBS Sports is the third site to put Micah in Denver with the ninth pick.
• Sporting News’ February 18th draft agrees with McShay that he will be in New England with the 15th pick. They label him as a “hard-tackling and well-covering cleanup man.” Yep, sounds about right. Parsons is also seventh on Sporting News’ Big Board.
• Pro Football Focus’ February 15th simulation puts Parsons 7th to the Lions.

Jayson Oweh: 17th, 21st, 27th, 38th

• Oweh is ranked 35th on McShay’s Big Board. He scores an 87, placing him in the “Outstanding Prospect” category: “Player has abilities to create mismatches versus most opponents in the NFL. A feature player that has an impact on the outcome of the game. Cannot be shut down by a single player and plays on a consistent level week in and week out. He rates in the top 10 at his position and is considered a second round draft prospect.”
• Oweh is projected 38th to the Bengals in the second round according to Chad Reuter.
• CBS Sports puts the edge rusher in Indianapolis with the 21st pick in the first round. They believe he is a “high-upside edge rusher who can one day take over for Justin Houston.”
• Oweh is picked to go to the Ravens with the 27th pick, according to Sporting News. He is ranked 34th on Sporting News’ Big Board.
• Pro Football Focus puts Oweh 17th to the Raiders.

Pat Freiermuth: 28th, 53rd

• Free Moose is ranked 44th on McShay’s Big Board. His score is 85, putting him alongside Oweh in the “Outstanding Prospect” section.
• Reuter puts Pat 53rd to the Titans in the second round.
• Pro Football Network believes if Drew Brees doesn’t retire, the Saints will select the tight end 28th in the first round.
• Sporting News has Freierrmuth 37th on their Big Board. They call him the “most complete tight end” in the class.

Shaka Toney:

• Toney is 138th on McShay’s Big Board. His score of 59 labels him as an “Adequate Prospect”: “These are usually players that play at a high level in college, but lack some measurables or skills to play at that same level in the NFL. He may be a player that has a lot of developmental qualities, or could be a player that will contribute right away on special teams or in a situational capacity. He will usually rate in the second-third at his position and is considered a fifth round draft choice.” Personally, I think Shaka is better than a fifth-round talent.

Michal Menet:

• Menet is 162nd on McShay’s Big Board. Menet’s 51 puts him in the “Adequate Prospect” category as well.

We look forward to future, more expansive mock drafts. See you all in a couple weeks!