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Patriots 2021 NFL mock draft 3.0: Bill Belichick shocks the NFL

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 07: Quarterback Davis Mills #15 of the Stanford Cardinal sets to pass in the fourth quarter of the game against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 7, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 07: Quarterback Davis Mills #15 of the Stanford Cardinal sets to pass in the fourth quarter of the game against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 7, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots
2021 NFL Draft Micah Parsons. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 1 No. 15:  Micah Parsons – Linebacker, Penn State

In the past two mock drafts, we have the New England Patriots selecting a defensive player in the first round, that trend continues in this version.

With the No. 15 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Bill Belichick will play it safe and go with the best player available, which will be Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons.

There will be opportunity to move up in the draft to select a quarterback who will start to fall within the top 10, but ultimately Belichick will decide to add more youth and speed on the defensive side of the ball and Parsons is an absolute stud.

806. . Linebacker. Nittany Lions . Micah Parsons. 15. player

At 6-foot-3, 246 pounds, Parsons is a competitor on the field with great burst and speed.  Along with his explosive athleticism, the Penn State product would be an ideal addition to the Patriots defensive unit in that he would give them a linebacker who will be able to cover running backs out of the outfield.  That has been an area Belichick’s squad has struggled with over the past two seasons.

With Kyle Van Noy and Dont’a Hightower back in the mix, there wouldn’t be much pressure put on Parsons to come in and contribute right away.  He can sit back and learn from those veteran players a bit and slowly become a contributor as the season moves along.

Now, Micah Parsons does have some issues against the run, but given all of his other attributes, that weakness is something that could be coached and learned from watching players like Hightower and Van Noy.

In all, Patriots fans will want Belichick to be aggressive and go after a Justin Fields, but he will stay pat and play it safe with a player at a position he has had success with historically.

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