Cameron McGrone NFL Draft Overview
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6’-1”
Weight: 234 pounds
School: Michigan
Cameron McGrone 2021 NFL Draft Profile
Michigan Wolverine linebacker Cameron Mcgrone has the pedigree to be a top prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft. A five-star recruit out of High School, McGrone flashed speed, physicality, and superb tackling ability throughout his college career. However, still only 20, McGrone is regarded as a developmental prospect entering the draft due to his inexperience playing in coverage on passing downs. There’s a lot to like on tape though. McGrone has raw ability that could turn into production at the pro level.
McGrone was classed as the number one overall recruit in the state of Indiana coming out of Lawrence Central High School. He tore his ACL as a junior but came back and recorded 84 total tackles as a senior before committing to the University of Michigan. The linebacker also appeared in the 2018 US Army All-America game. Still aged 18 as a true freshman, McGrone only appeared in one game during the 2018 season and didn’t get on the stat sheet as he was granted a redshirt year.
However, in 2019 McGrone enjoyed a huge increase in his snap count. Entering the season as a backup, the linebacker assumed the starting role as the season wore on due to an injury to teammate Josh Ross. He racked up 65 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks in thirteen games. In a shortened 2020 season, McGrone tallied 26 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and 0.5 sacks in five games during what was a disappointing campaign for the Wolverines overall.
Strengths:
- Strong build, good size – still only 20, room to fill in;
- Form tackler – creates good angles and drives through the ball carrier, didn’t miss a tackle in 2020;
- Good sideline-to-sideline speed for the position;
- Showcased good short-area quickness – when he’s beat in coverage it’s not down to athleticism;
- Attacks blockers in different ways – strong enough to stack blocks, agile enough to bend and dip under.
Weaknesses:
- A redshirt sophomore who needs reps – limited amount of games as a starter;
- Limited in coverage – no picks or pass breakups in career;
- Looks out of place tracking tight ends down the field – doesn’t get his head around, doesn’t understand ball placement spots and lack of length could show up in NFL;
- Downhill and aggressive mentality susceptible to misdirection;
- Developmental project – high upside, but has to improve a lot to contribute as a rookie.
NFL Comparison: Zach Cunningham
Teams With Need at Position: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders, Washington Football Team
Projection: Round Four
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Bottom Line on Cameron McGrone
The upside of McGrone as a developmental talent is enticing. He has the size required for the pro level already, with room for his body to mature on an NFL conditioning program. He’ll need to prove he can maintain his playing speed if he adds more weight to his frame but his size at the moment is adequate. He’s aggressive in his pursuit to shut down the run game and when he gets near a ball carrier they’re unlikely to escape his clutches.
However, a lot of scouts would have preferred McGrone to utilize at least one of the two eligible college years that were still available to him. Another full season of solid production as a starter likely would have improved his draft stock. We would also see how McGrone’s body matured over an extra year of college, which would have made that aspect of the grade less of a projection than it is as things stand. Furthermore, he lacks experience in coverage and didn’t flash good instincts in either zone or man. Improvement in that area of his game over another season with Michigan also would have silenced some doubts.
Cameron McGrone will likely have to find a way to contribute on special teams as a rookie and earn his way onto the field on defense. He has the speed and tackling ability to do so which adds value to his draft stock. The upside is exciting for a team that buys into the athletic traits and is looking for talent to add to the front seven. McGrone has starting potential in the NFL but he needs reps and the coverage skills need to improve.
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