2021 NFL Mock Draft: Eagles target DeVonta Smith, Bears settle on Mac Jones

Oct 31, 2020; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) and Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) celebrate a touchdown pass from Jones to Smith at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the second half of Alabama's 41-0 win over Mississippi State. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr/The Tuscaloosa News via USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2020; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) and Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) celebrate a touchdown pass from Jones to Smith at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the second half of Alabama's 41-0 win over Mississippi State. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr/The Tuscaloosa News via USA TODAY Sports /
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2021 NFL Mock Draft
2021 NFL Mock Draft. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Scouting Report. LB. Penn State. Micah Parsons. 17. player. Pick Analysis. 28

This one feels weird to predict since it goes contrary to what Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock like to do. The Las Vegas Raiders head coach and general manager have made no apologies for their tendency to draft players from Alabama and Clemson, saying that the winning programs often produce winning players.

For that reason, picking a player outside of those schools is difficult but Micah Parsons slides rather far here — and he just so happens to play a position of need for Las Vegas. And while Gruden and Mayock do prefer championship teams, they have taken other picks in the first from different programs if they fit a need such as Kolton Miller from UCLA in 2018 and  Johnathan Abram from Mississippi State in 2019.

Parsons is a player that will be impossible for them to skip on since he’s more than just an average linebacker. He’s capable of playing in the middle of the defense but can also bring the heat as a pass rusher and is no slouch in coverage.

He opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns but Parsons did plenty in his first two seasons with Penn State to guarantee a spot in Round 1. Parsons had 82 tackles and two forced fumbles as a freshman before recording 109 tackles, five sacks, fice pass defenses, and four forced fumbles in 2019.