2021 draft. Round 5 pick 177 Patriots select LB Cameron McGrone

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With a Michigan player, it must mean that a Rutgers player must be following him.
 
STRENGTHS: Athletic, fluid mover who flies around the field…mirrors the run well and doesn’t allow ball carriers to shake him in the lane…plays with an instant reactor, allowing him to read and go…he always seems to be in the vicinity because of his football IQ…strong wrap skills to latch on and put ball carriers on the ground…calms his feet on the move to find his balance as an open-field tackler…closes the gap in pursuit because of his speed…smooth hips to redirect his momentum and cover tight ends in space…displays outstanding timing and burst as a blitzer, attacking with fast angles downhill…doesn’t take plays off and is constantly playing full-go…productive when on the field.

WEAKNESSES: Lacks ideal size and length and his frame appears near maxed out…his play strength doesn’t match his intentions…lacks the take-on skills to work off blockers, often getting lost in a crowd…must improve his fundamental hand usage and gap leverage…plays in overdrive, leading to fly-by missed tackles…inconsistent coverage angles and struggles to challenge throws at the catch point…his collegiate resume looks incomplete with only 15 starts and 91 tackles in his career…his medical evaluation will be crucial: Tore the ACL in his right knee as a junior in high school (November 2016); suffered a torn ACL in his left knee (November 2020), which sidelined him for the pre-draft process.

SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Michigan, McGrone lined up as the middle linebacker in former defensive coordinator Don Brown’s 4-3 base scheme. He admirably filled the shoes of the departed Devin Bush in 2019 with 65 tackles, including nine for loss, but his tape from last season wasn’t as impressive, including a seasonending knee injury. McGrone is an athletic, instinctive linebacker who can easily unlock and go and makes plays all over the field. He does a great job keying and getting a head start, but he struggles if he doesn’t play out in front and the play is usually over once defenders latch on. Overall, McGrone has outstanding speed and he trusts his vision, which allows him to play fast, but his play strength issues, inexperience and injuries are strong concerns for his NFL transition.
 
Seems like another Winnovich type, provided the knees hold up, torn the ACL in BOTH knees, possibly someone who could have been picked up as a UDFA given his medical history?
 
TipRoast said:
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McGrone seems to be really quick to diagnose and react to the offense.
Great at sifting through the fog to get to the ball carrier; all are things Bentley has difficulty doing.
What's the situation with his knee? PUP seems pretty likely for him after his 2nd ACL surgery in 3 years.
 
spacecrime said:
STRENGTHS: Athletic, fluid mover who flies around the field…mirrors the run well and doesn’t allow ball carriers to shake him in the lane…plays with an instant reactor, allowing him to read and go…he always seems to be in the vicinity because of his football IQ…strong wrap skills to latch on and put ball carriers on the ground…calms his feet on the move to find his balance as an open-field tackler…closes the gap in pursuit because of his speed…smooth hips to redirect his momentum and cover tight ends in space…displays outstanding timing and burst as a blitzer, attacking with fast angles downhill…doesn’t take plays off and is constantly playing full-go…productive when on the field.

WEAKNESSES: Lacks ideal size and length and his frame appears near maxed out…his play strength doesn’t match his intentions…lacks the take-on skills to work off blockers, often getting lost in a crowd…must improve his fundamental hand usage and gap leverage…plays in overdrive, leading to fly-by missed tackles…inconsistent coverage angles and struggles to challenge throws at the catch point…his collegiate resume looks incomplete with only 15 starts and 91 tackles in his career…his medical evaluation will be crucial: Tore the ACL in his right knee as a junior in high school (November 2016); suffered a torn ACL in his left knee (November 2020), which sidelined him for the pre-draft process.

SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Michigan, McGrone lined up as the middle linebacker in former defensive coordinator Don Brown’s 4-3 base scheme. He admirably filled the shoes of the departed Devin Bush in 2019 with 65 tackles, including nine for loss, but his tape from last season wasn’t as impressive, including a seasonending knee injury. McGrone is an athletic, instinctive linebacker who can easily unlock and go and makes plays all over the field. He does a great job keying and getting a head start, but he struggles if he doesn’t play out in front and the play is usually over once defenders latch on. Overall, McGrone has outstanding speed and he trusts his vision, which allows him to play fast, but his play strength issues, inexperience and injuries are strong concerns for his NFL transition.
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Interesting since PFF has him with 0 missed tackles last year.
 
chevss454 said:
McGrone seems to be really quick to diagnose and react to the offense.
Great at sifting through the fog to get to the ball carrier; all are things Bentley has difficulty doing.
What's the situation with his knee? PUP seems pretty likely for him after his 2nd ACL surgery in 3 years.
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I'd bet pound to a penny that he is a very smart cookie. A typical BB defensive player, very smart.
 
So who's this Pat McGroin guy?

Cheers
 
chevss454 said:
Interesting since PFF has him with 0 missed tackles last year.
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I know. The inconsistency of pre-draft analyses is amazing. I took all these from the TheAthletic.com because it had write-ups on almost every player who committed to the draft. Most sites go to about top 200, useless for the late-round guys.

I immediately went there right after the picks, and posted it to show at least some info on each guy. TheAthletic.com has given way to Lazar (clnsmedia.com)s as my fave, but I still like theatletic, especially Howe's in depth Patriot-specific articles.
 
www.michigandaily.com

SportsMonday: Cameron McGrone, Aaron Redd and learning to be a big brother

Lynn Redd sat and waited for an inevitable call. It was July 4, 2018, and her two sons were out at a nearby fireworks show in their hometown of Indianapolis. For many, it’s a routine Independence Day venture. For sophomore linebacker Cameron McGrone and his younger brother, Aaron Redd, it was a...
www.michigandaily.com www.michigandaily.com
 
Yeah, the Patriots do seem to take these guys with this generosity of spirit. I think it's tied into the team first ethic and selflessness demands the team makes that see us with guys like Slater, White, Malcolm Mitchell, Jules, Wilfork, Damien Harris and co.
 
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