Grading Dane Brugler’s 2021 Browns 7-round mock draft

Round 5, pick 132, Cameron McGrone, Michigan, ILB

Grade: D

The Browns finally go linebacker here, taking Cameron McGrone from Michigan. In a surprise to me, Brugler mocks him to Cleveland ahead of Alabama’s Dylan Moses, who goes six picks later to the Cowboys.

The fan clamoring for a linebacker earlier in the draft will be disappointed they had to wait this long, but after watching Andrew Berry work this offseason, it’s not a surprise that Cleveland passed on linebackers in the earlier rounds.

Berry signed Colts free agent Anthony Parker, while also bringing back Malcom Smith. Additionally, homegrown talents Sione Takitaki and Jacob Phillips seem to be ready for an increase in snaps. Plus, while he struggled last season, Mack Wilson is still here and carries two years of experience.

Factor in what’s being reported locally, that the Browns will place a greater emphasis on playing three safeties and two linebackers, so it should come as no surprise that Cleveland didn’t go linebacker in the first round.

As for McGrone, the Wolverine’s NFL.com draft profile projects him as a “good back up” who could become a starter. The redshirt sophomore has only played in 16 games over two years, playing in just five contests during the 2020 campaign.

Lance Zierlien analyzed him for NFL.com and it wasn’t a glowing report card. The long-time prospect observer wrote that he has trouble “sniffing” out play action and will lose track of coverages. His sideline-to-sideline ability was described as “adequate.”

Doesn’t exactly sound like a ringing endorsement, but again, he’s pretty raw, so perhaps McGrone just needs coached up.