Texans trade up to select inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney
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The Houston Texans have selected linebacker Benardrick McKinney out of Mississippi State in the second round in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Houston moved up eight spots to select McKinney, trading their second-round pick (51th overall), fourth-round pick (116th overall) and a sixth-round pick (195th overall) to the Cleveland Browns. In return, Cleveland also sent a seventh-round selection (229th overall).
McKinney does an outstanding job of wrapping up ball carriers and is a solid player in run support. The 22-year-old is excellent at diagnosing plays at the line of scrimmage and could call a number of plays while he learns the Texans' scheme.
McKinney's straight-line speed will be an asset as the Texans' defensive line will shorten the field for the rest of the back eight. McKinney is expected to supplant Justin Tuggle as the Texans' starting right inside linebacker.
Benardrick McKinney Bio
Position: ILB
School: Mississippi State
College Experience: Redshirt Junior
Height: 6-4
Weight: 246 lbs.
Age: 22
Combine Results
| Event | Result |
|---|---|
| 40-yd dash | 4.66 sec |
| Bench Press | 16 reps |
| Vertical Jump | 40.5 inches |
| Broad Jump | 121 inches |
| 3-Cone Drill | 7.21 sec |
| 20-yd Shuttle | 4.27 sec |
Strengths
- Does an excellent job wrapping up the ball carrier.
- Makes a number of intelligent adjustments at the line of scrimmage, could call plays at NFL level.
- Excellent power and straight-line speed. Could be moulded into a star over time.
Weaknesses
- Gets beat in coverage due to poor lateral movement.
- Does a poor job shedding blockers to attack ball carrier.
- Overruns a number of routes and doesn't possess the recovery speed to make up for his mistakes.