For the third straight year, the Patriots have selected a player out of Michigan.
With pick No. 177 overall (Round 5), the team selected linebacker Cameron McGrone.
He is the fifth player the Patriots have selected in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Here are three quick thoughts on McGrone.
-- Injuries are the story with him, as he only played in 19 collegiate games. He tore the ACL in his right knee as a junior in high school and then tore the ACL in his left knee in November of last year. He wasn't able to do anything in the pre-draft process and it's likely he won't be able to contribute much this year.
-- When on the field, he's an athletic linebacker who can fly all around the field. But, some question his strength, especially at the NFL level. Perhaps the knee injury will allow him time to come back even stronger and allow him to make an impact at the NFL level.
-- It feels like this pick was made looking towards the future, beginning in 2022. He was a middle linebacker in Michigan's 4-3 scheme, but unclear what his role projects with the Patriots once he gets on the field. He also is only 20 years old, so there's quite a bit of potential.