Benardrick McKinney invited to NFL Draft in Chicago

NFL Draft speculation heats up with less than a month remaining until Tampa Bay makes the first selection.

One thing is certain though, Benardrick McKinney will be in attendance according to multiple reports.

The three-day event in Chicago begins on April 30. The NFL only invites a select number of players to attend the draft. Those players are usually expected to not remain long on teams' draft boards.

McKinney, who led Mississippi State in tackles last year, is expected to hear his name called either in the first or early second round. MSU hasn't had a player selected in the first round since Fletcher Cox in 2012.

The first 32 picks will take place on April 30. Round 2 begins on May 1. For the 80th anniversary of the draft, the NFL moved the location to Chicago. It had been in New York City since 2006.

McKinney has a number of suitors. He'll meet with the Vikings today, followed by a number of other meetings with teams leading up to the draft. The Ravens, Cowboys, Texans, Browns and Bears have also scheduled visits with the former Mississippi State linebacker.

McKinney recorded 244 tackles in his three years in Starkville. He led the Bulldogs in the category the last two seasons. He became the first MSU linebacker to earn Walter Camp All-American honors last year.

He continued that momentum in the NFL combine.

McKinney had one of the best vertical jumps at the Combine for a linebacker. He leaped 40.5 inches, which was fourth at his position. He ranked 10th in the broad jump at his position group at 10-feet-1-inch.

His 7.21-seconds in the three-cone drill ranked in the middle of the pack at 14th. His 4.27 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle was 13th best.

McKinney didn't work out at Mississippi State's Pro Day. The numbers from the combine satisfied enough scouts.

Contact Michael Bonner at mbonner@gannett.com. Follow @MikeBBonner on Twitter.