I disagree with this assessment of McGrath. What you've listed as his weaknesses are actually his strengths?McGrath is in the Liam Shiels mould of footballer (a smaller, less defensively accountable version). Solid, 200+ game, excellent clubman but too small, too slow and not skillful enough to hang it with the big dogs.
Shiels weapon was his ability to lockdown an opponent and do the defensive tough stuff to let his more offensively minded midfielders shine (Mitchell, Lewis, Smith).
Unfortunately for McGrath he even lacks that ability. He's not a tackle machine. He's not an accountable two way runner. He doesn't have superstars to support to elevate his own game.
Just a very vanilla player. Certainly not worthy of the number 1 pick, but I guess in fairness not many #1 picks elevate themselves to be worthy of that standard.
He is quick and he's an excellent two-way runner.
He's just not a match winner offensively as a mid. Doesn't dominate clearances or contested ball like the elite mids do and he's not overly damaging with his disposal.
The problem with McGrath is that he's a Kane Lambert level midfielder that is judged as a Clayton Oliver level mid because of where he was drafted.