Packers: Linebacker in first round of CBS Sports 2021 mock draft

It’s about time the Green Bay Packers draft a linebacker early.

When considering the team’s list of top priorities entering the draft, it might not stand out at number one. But it’s a position the Packers tend to ignore in the early stages of the draft.

Could the fact that new defensive coordinator Joe Barry is a former linebackers coach change things? Perhaps.

Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports thinks so in his latest 2021 NFL mock draft. With the 29th overall pick, Trapasso has the Packers going with Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons.

Trapasso wrote that Green Bay would be getting “a dazzling playmaker at the second level who can bring it as an edge rusher too.”

Sound good? It does to me.

The Packers moved on from last year’s free-agent signing Christian Kirksey, leaving them without much experience at inside linebacker. Krys Barnes and Kamal Martin, both second-year players, would be the top two on the depth chart if the season started today.

Between 2018 and ’19 at Penn State, Parsons made 191 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks.

Cornerback might be a bigger need for the Packers on defense, but if they can find a playmaker who could start at any position, they should do it. Inside linebacker is also an area they could look to improve in the draft. Parsons could start Week 1 and make a huge difference for this defense, so it would make sense to draft him in the first round.

Also consider that Parsons is one of the best players in the entire class so the value here would be excellent. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah has Parsons at No. 10 in his rankings of the top prospects in the draft class. If he’s still on the board at No. 29, it would be great news for the Packers.

What are your thoughts?