Micah Parsons calls out social media 'scouts' over video of potential Iowa first-rounder Lukas Van Ness
The 2023 NFL Draft is still weeks away but Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons is already tired of the hot takes on social media. The out-spoken Penn State alum called out the social media “scouts” out there on Monday after seeing a video of Iowa defensive end Lukas Van Ness hyped up by the Twitter account NFL Rookie Watch.
In the video, the potential first-round draft pick goes through a bag-hitting drill. Van Ness looks powerful and skilled going up against the stationary bags but Parsons isn’t buying into the hype.
“Brooooo it’s bags,” Parsons tweeted with several laughing emojis. “I’ve seen kids in middle school do this !! Media is a scary place.”
“Lukas Van Ness taking these bags out like they’re NOTHING,” the NFL Rookie Watch account commented. “Van Ness is looking to be the first Iowa DE selected in the first round of the NFL Draft in 12 years.”
Van Ness boosts stock ahead of 2023 NFL Draft
So the Cowboys star wasn’t particularly impressed with the Hawkeyes standout’s quick work on the bags. Still, Van Ness has only boosted his stock since declaring for the draft. He showed out at the scouting combine where he posted a 4.58 40-yard dash, which tied for sixth among players at his position.
In his latest first-round mock draft, ESPN analyst Todd McShay has Van Ness coming off the board as early as pick No. 18, which belongs to the Detroit Lions. In other mock drafts, the Iowa defensive lineman goes in the mid-20s. The Cowboys own pick No. 26.
“While he never started a game at Iowa, he played a lot for the Hawkeyes, averaging 450 snaps per season over two years,” McShay wrote. “And Van Ness turned that into seven sacks in each campaign… It was no surprise when Van Ness tested well in Indianapolis. He has the quickness, power and versatility to dominate in the NFL.”
Van Ness, at 6-foot-5, 269 pounds, could play inside or outside at the next level. He tallied 69 tackles over two seasons for the Hawkeyes.
The 2023 NFL Draft takes place from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event location this year is the plaza outside of Union Station.
Round 1 of the NFL Draft begins at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 27. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 28, and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 29. The draft broadcast runs throughout the weekend on both ESPN and NFL Network.