Inside Linebackers The Houston Texans Should Target In Draft

Sep 20, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Benardrick McKinney (50) tackles LSU Tigers running back

iard (27) during the third quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Benardrick McKinney  (2^nd round)  6’4”, 246 – Mississippi St.

Benardrick McKinney is billed as a big-bodied, run-stuffing type linebacker that plays straight ahead and closes up holes, and that is what shows up on film here against LSU.

Although McKinney’s measurables show him to be a rather freakish athlete at his size with a 4.66 40-yard dash and a 40-inch vertical, that athleticism doesn’t really show up on tape as he struggles to cover on pass plays or moving side to side.

It also has to be a concern that the biggest linebacker on this list had the lowest bench total at the combine, with just 16 reps.  Some wide receivers bench more than that.

Oct 11, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Benardrick McKinney (50) during the game against the Auburn Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State Bulldogs defeated the Auburn Tigers 38-23. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

While the bench press is not the end all be all of a football player, such a low number for a man of his size and the style of player he’s projected to be can be an indication that he’s not as serious about getting in the weight room to get stronger and work to be better, which can tie into level of commitment.

The Texans have shown interest in McKinney and have brought him in for an individual workout.  His projection is 2nd round, and right about where the Texans will be selecting in the 2nd round.  Personally I’m not a big fan of McKinney, particularly that high up.

If I’m selecting him in the 4th round as a rotational linebacker who can stop the run, I’m fine with that, but to spend a 2nd-round pick on a two-down run-stopping linebacker, isn’t smart in a draft where there are other options.  At that spot they should be looking for someone to play next to Cushing with the potential to replace him if needed.

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