Minnesota Vikings: 5 prospects worth reaching for at the 2021 NFL Draft

Cameron McGrone – LB (Michigan)

Measurements:

• Height: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 232 pounds

2020 stats:

• 26 tackles
• 2.0 TFL
• 0.5 sacks

The Vikings may not be in the market for a linebacker early in the draft but they should be open to taking one if the opportunity presents itself. Anthony Barr‘s contract is now up at the end of this season and while he could still come back, replacing him with a younger and cheaper player should at least be an option.

Cameron McGrone has limited experience to his name after just a season and a half of college ball at Michigan. He shined in 2019 as a starter in the middle of the defense but only had seven games in 2020 due to the shortened season. Still, his tape speaks volumes of who he can become as a player.

McGrone was an absolute game-changer in 2019, especially when attacking downhill in the run game and as a blitzer. Michigan loved to blitz and McGrone was the key to their success over the past two seasons.

We have seen a shift to smaller, faster linebackers that can do a little bit of everything on defense. That’s exactly what we can expect from McGrone as soon as he enters the league. I think he can start right away but using him as a sub-package linebacker, similar to how the Vikings used Eric Wilson, could do wonders for the defense.

Depending on how the board falls, McGrone would be a very nice selection for the Vikings in the third round of the draft. He is currently projected to go later in the third round or so, but the Minnesota Vikings can move up to get him and secure an extra piece for their defense.