2015 NFL Draft Round 2: Texans Select Benardrick McKinney

The pick is in!

With the 43rd overall pick (via the Cleveland Browns in a trade) in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans select…

The Texans originally had the 51st pick but they were high on McKinney so they traded their 2nd (51st), 4th (116th) and 6th (195th) to trade up to get him at No. 43.

I honestly think that this is a solid move for the Texans. The route they need to take to shape this roster is by beefing up the defense so that if we don’t get the guys we want on offense, that unit will carry us through.

With the uncertainty of Brian Cushing — a player McKinney is often compared to — and his health, it’s good that the Texans were able to grab a solid linebacker that could provide some help.

The Texans seem to be running with a theme of versatility with their previous pick in Kevin Johnson not only being able to play his position of corner back but on special teams as well.

There are some concerns about his instinctive awareness which can be liability when the ultimate objective is to win the football game.

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But I have no doubt that Romeo Crennel and the rest of the Texans staff will do what they can to ensure that he progresses along just fine.

After all, the Texans traded up to get this guy so this team feels that he has plenty of value to take him in the 2nd round.

I had initially thought they were going to trade up for linebacker Denzel Perryman, who is exciting to watch when he mows down his opponents but it’s quite obvious McKinney is what the Texans need as far as their defensive philosophy.

But you don’t have to take my word for it, take a look at what the experts are saying:

ESPN 97.5 FM Houston’s Jayson Braddock:

Braddock talks more about his weaknesses:

Braddock on his potential roster impact:

Pro Football Focus on his ability to perform his job well especially against top opponents:

The Texans trade up for Benardrick McKinney, who had a Run Stop Percentage of 9.4% v Power 5 opponents in 2014 pic.twitter.com/3wKH3hXYWH
— PFF (@PFF) May 2, 2015

McKinney combined for 71 tackles, 8.0 tackles-for-loss, 3.0 sacks, four passes defended and one forced fumble in 2014.