Hello, Battle Red Bloggers.

This is my new series analysing players who would fill a need on this Texans roster. Today I will be looking at Mississippi State Linebacker, Benardrick McKinney. The Texans have a relatively weak linebacking corps., and with Brian Cushing struggling to return to his best, McKinney could start alongside Cushing whilst players like Akeem Dent, Justin Tuggle and Mike Mohamed rotate behind them.

A position in need is a position indeed!

Question 1: Where would we take him?

McKinney is an interesting junior. At this stage, he seems like someone who could rise up draft boards with a strong combine, Pro Day and lead up to the draft. At this point, WalterFootball.com rank him as a late first to second pick, and it should be noted that both writers see him going to the Texans in the second. Mel Kiper thinks that he would likely go in the first if the draft was now.

One AFC Scout compared him to Rolando McClain, who was selected number 8 overall. However, it is unlikely McKinney goes that high.

The spot which we would take Mckinney at really depends on the period between now and the draft. Yet, all things considered, it appears that taking him at 16 would be the more likely.

Question 2: What does he look like on tape?

Pass Rushing:

vs Texas A&M. Lined up against Cedric Ogbuehi, McKinney shows his speed to beat the Tackle off a poor step, and uses his agility to beat the running back and take down the quarterback. 2:03-2:10

This play really excites me. McKinney is 6 foot 5, and at 249 pounds is built nicely. And this play shows that he has the burst and agility required to make it in the NFL. I also liked the way he followed the quarterback with his eyes. He watches Kenny Hill fake the throw and sees Hill try to escape to the outside. He uses his length to reach the quarterback's ankle and wraps up for half a sack.

vs UAB. Again, his agility and speed shine through as he rushes throughout the line and sacks the quarterback. 4:39-4:52

The left guard has no chance on this play. McKinney is too quick and agile, burning past the feeble attempt at the block and wrapping up the quarterback to bring him down.

McKinney is a good pass rusher both inside and outside. His speed and agility help him sack quarterbacks like Johnny Manziel on scrambles.

Run Support:

vs Auburn: After initially being blocked by arguably the best centre in the class Reece Dismukes, McKinney surges past him, and drives after the quarterback wrapping him up low. 1:15-1:29.

Another really nice play for McKinney, which shows some of his drive. Dismukes knows that Marshall has gone outside and tries to slow Mckinney, but the raw athlete combines power and speed to pass him. He makes sure that Marshall cannot escape and again makes a good low tackle.

vs LSU: Playing Inside Linebacker, McKinney watches the play develop, and sees the running back try to cut back , making an emphatic tackle. 6:39-6:47

This play is just nasty. McKinney reads the cutback, waits for the running back to make his cut and steps away from no.75 who would have been his blocker. He wraps up and pulls the runner down with authority. He is noticeably big on this play. He is practically on his knees and manages to grip the upper chest, making sure he does not commit the common sin that is arm tackle. He shows aggression and power, and his ability to read a play.

I also like the play, between 8:00 and 8:12. He watches dual threat QB Jennings look to throw, and then sees him try to escape for a 2-pt conversion. He speeds towards the scrambling Jennings and again hits him hard. His physicality showed in this game against the physical LSU Tigers.

Pass Coverage:

vs UAB: A poor play. In coverage, McKinney bites on play action and loses the slot receiver he stumbles and misses a tackle. 2:39-2:47

McKinney's main fault is his pass coverage. Though an excellent athlete for his size and possessing good speed, he is not a great coverage linebacker. He bites poorly on this play even though his team mates have the run covered and has to quickly chase the slot receiver. He is too aggressive and the receiver spins past him. If he had tracked the receiver, he may have been able to jump the route and get an interception. He has a definite tendency to play run first. Particularly in the game against the A&M Aggies, a pass heavy offence, he bit multiple times.

It is telling that he did not have an interception the past two years, and in the pass-heavy NFL, and against players like Andrew Luck, he could be caught out.

vs Texas A&M- What a horrid play. McKinney is beaten easily and drags the receiver down with the ball well placed, resulting in a flag 5:49-5:54

Beaten by the receiver on a cut to the inside, McKinney is flat footed and on his heels. Sensing that the ball is headed towards said receiver he drags him down. An easy call for the officiating crew and a terrible play by McKinney.



In the Auburn game, McKinney held a zone well and forced a high throw. He is better when not asked to cover a man, as he can use his height to block passing lanes.

Question 3: Based on the tape, what are his strengths and weaknesses, and would you like to draft him?

Strengths:

-Size- At 6'5" and 250 pounds McKinney is plenty big enough

-Strength- Strong in both the tackle and powering through blocks

-Tackling- A strong hitter and has a good ankle wrap-up tackle

-Agility- Nimble for a man of his size

-Speed- Expected to run quick in the 40, he has good on-field speed and acceleration as well

-Reading the game- Excellent at reading a running back or quarterback on the run



Weaknesses:

-Over-aggressive- At times, he is too aggressive in the tackle and gets beaten by a speedy receiver or running back

-Coverage- Can be poor, particularly when 1-on-1 with a receiver.

-Biting on play action- Noticeable, and would be caught out in the NFL



Personally, McKinney seems like a raw athletic run stopping linebacker. He is very physical and has the speed to rush the passer as well as purely playing the run. He struggles in coverage but his athletic talent means he could develop with good coaching from Mike Vrabel, who would be his positional coach should the Texans draft him. He was the captain of the solid Mississippi State defence and organised the group well. Overall, I would call him a B+ player with a high ceiling. I would be happy if the texans drafted him at 16, and ecstatic if we could get him in the second, but that seems unlikely.

Benardrick McKinney: B+



