Benardrick McKinney NFL Draft 2015: Scouting Report, Grade for Texans Rookie

STRENGTHS

A surprising athlete at 6'4" and 246 pounds, Benardrick McKinney can line up at inside 'backer or as a rusher off the edge and make an impact. He's a scheme-versatile player in that way and performed position drills as both a linebacker and defensive end at his pro day.

McKinney is a thick, powerful, explosive player with the speed to run down ball-carriers or rush the quarterback. He's aggressive and uses his strength well to step up against the run to meet blockers or the ball. His football IQ is good, and he'll read and react without delay. McKinney adds value as a blitzer and can move around the defense to make plays.

WEAKNESSES

McKinney could do a better job working through blockers—especially cut blocks—to get to the football. When the alley is clean, he'll run it and blow plays up, but he can take himself out of plays too often with average footwork and shedding ability.

He's not been asked to work in pass coverage and shows the hip stiffness in transitions to be a weakness there. Too often, he blended into the background and didn't make plays.

2014 STATISTICS

Tackles                             Sacks                       Tackles for Loss
71                                      3.0                            8.0

PRO COMPARISON: Jamie Collins, New England Patriots

An impressive athlete with the skills to play inside or outside, McKinney and Jamie Collins are very similar weapons when looking at the X's and O's of their games.

FINAL GRADE: 6.25/9.00 (Rookie Impact)