When people think of the Houston Texans defense, Benardrick McKinney’s name is one that is not foremost on their minds. To use Madden NFL 19 as a broad survey, he is listed as the 11th-best defender for the Texans.

Benardrick who?

However, the talent and impact of McKinney is not lost on his teammates.

“Like I said, he’s a huge part of our defense and he does a lot for us,” safety Kareem Jackson said. “He gets us lined up. He’s our middle guy, so he’s a big-time player for us.”

Jackson also pointed out that the contract extension the team gave McKinney to the tune of $50 million over five years “speaks for itself” as to how much the team thinks of the 25-year-old from Mississippi State.

“It’s an honor just to be able to play under OB (Bill O’Brien),” McKinney said. “They gave me a chance. From college, it took me a long time to understand the defense but it’s unbelievable for them to give me the opportunity to be able to play.”

As the Texans floundered to a 4-12 record and last place in the AFC South last season, McKinney shined with 95 total tackles in 16 starts, according to Pro Football Reference. The second-round pick from the 2015 NFL Draft also had three sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass deflection.

A quarterback in high school at Rosa Fort in Tunica, Miss., McKinney has been a natural leader and used his abilities as a communicator, both by word and deed, to direct teammates.

“When you’re in that position (as) a linebacker between the defensive line and the secondary, you have a leadership position,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “He’s a natural leader because you have to make all the calls, make the adjustments. So, you have to communicate to the front and communicate to the back end. You have to be vocal, you have to know what you’re doing. He has all of those traits.”

Now, McKinney will be one of the many leading voices on a Texans defense that will get edge rushers Jadeveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus back from injury along with defensive end J.J. Watt.

Said McKinney: “It’s going to be exciting playing with everybody. J.J. is a great, unbelievable player. Great leader on the defense. Whitney is a great player, leader on the defense. It’s going to be great because I miss playing with those guys, their presence in the locker room, but it’s going to be great.”

Houston finished as the 20th overall defense in the NFL after placing first overall in 2016. If McKinney can continue to play at a high level as injuries sail away from the Bayou City, then the Houston defense ought to be a formidable group every offense will have to respect.