NFL news: 2021 NFL Draft: Detroit Lions 7-round mock

2021 NFL Draft: Detroit Lions 7-round mock

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: DeVonta Smith #6 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates his touchdown during the second quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 07: Cameron McGrone #44 of the Michigan Wolverines in action in the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on November 07, 2020 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Scouting Report. Cameron McGrone. player. 50. Pick Analysis. Linebacker. Michigan. 89

Detroit’s defensive issues aren’t limited to just edge rushing. The front-seven also needs more talent at linebacker if they want to hold up against quality opposition in 2021.

Adding McGrone as their second pick in Round 3 would be a nice step in the right direction for Campbell and his defensive staff. He can’t give Detroit much right away in coverage, but he can help immediately as a solid run defender. In terms of pass coverage, there’s no reason he can’t grow into a contributor on third-down with quality NFL coaching.

The real upside to McGrone’s game is the force he can play with at the point of attack. He’s not the biggest linebacker in this class, but he packs a punch. McGrone is just the sort of linebacker the Lions can feel comfortable letting loose to attack the line of scrimmage on run-heavy and neutral downs as a rookie.

Anytime a team can get a solid starter at a position of need in Round 3 it goes down as a win. McGrone can help the Lions right away and project as a possible difference-maker down the road.

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