Patriots Got A Steal On Defense In The 2021 NFL Draft?
Many questions need to be addressed on the defense this year! The Patriots coming off a blowout loss 47-17 in the playoffs last season to the Buffalo Bills left many questions on defense. In that game, the Bills shredded the Patriots as the Bills rushed for over 100 yards and two touchdowns.
How Will The Patriots’ Defense Improve?
The front seven and mainly the linebackers couldn’t stop the Bills as the defense looked slow tired and aging. Enter the 2022 offseason with the upcoming 2022 draft and everyone was looking to see who the Patriots would bring in on defense to help fix the aging defense.
One of the first moves was trading Chase Winovich to Cleveland and acquiring linebacker Mack Wilson. Other moves on defense were resigning cornerback Malcolm Butler, inside linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley, free safety Devin McCourty, and defensive lineman Carl Davis.
Then finally signed two free agents’ safety Jabrill Peppers who had been with the New York Giants and cornerback Terrence Mitchell who had been with the Houston Texans.
Then came the 2022 NFL Draft and the Patriots drafted two cornerbacks first was Marcus Jones with the Houston Cougars then Jack Jones with the Arizona Sun Devils. But one position they were expected to add a player or two was missing and that was a linebacker.
Is McGrone Going To Be A Factor?
Over the last few drafts, the Patriots have added some young players on the defense at the linebacker positions such as Josh Uche, Ronnie Perkins, and Anfrenee Jennings. However, there was another linebacker the Patriots were high on coming out of college and that is Cameron McGrone.
Coming out of Michigan Cameron was 6”0″ and 234 pounds with explosive speed and power to stop the run. He had a nose for the football and would quickly find the ball carrier and make the play.
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Cam McGrone Michigan Defense
He was a team leader for the Wolverines with his quick and decisive way to diagnose a play read and react by quickly moving to the player carrying the ball or shedding a block to sack the quarterback. Another skill he excelled at was being able to break up passes and stay with tight ends downfield to make a huge play when needed.
Michigan relied on his leadership skills on defense game in and game out to provide a spark on defense and help lead the team to victory.
Will McGrone Be The Same Coming Off Of The ACL Tear?
The Patriots must have seen him while scouting other Michigan players they drafted like Josh Uche and Chase Winovich who they trade this spring. However, Cameron suffered a devastating injury against Rutgers in November of 2020 tearing his ACL and ending his football career at Michigan.
New England took a gamble on him in the 2021 NFL Draft selecting Mr. McGrone with a fifth-round draft pick at 177 overall in the draft. Cameron spent all last season on injured reserve healing from his injury at college with Michigan but learning from the sideline as to how the NFL is played.
With the new season beginning and Cameron now returning from his injury and having a full year to study the playbook he should be able to come in and focus on just reading the opponent’s offense and reacting to the play.
Conclusion
Over the past few seasons, the Patriots have struggled against the run giving up large plays over and over.
So, the Patriots will be relying on the quick and decisive plays he made while being at Michigan to stop the run. He will be teaming up with another former and current teammate Josh Uche.
As well as players like Anfrenee Jennings, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Ronnie Perkins, Matthew Judon, Mack Wilson, and Raekwon McMillian to form a new younger, more physical, and faster linebacking group of players moving on from older players such as Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins.
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