2015 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Benardrick McKinney
Nov 16, 2013; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Benardrick McKinney (50) tries to pump up the crowd noise against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first quarter at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Bottom Line
I’m just going to keep it 100 and tell you that when a watched tape on McKinney, I darn near fell asleep. He disappeared so many times, I forgot who I was watching as some of his teammates stood out. I actually had him mocked in the first round to the Green Bay Packers at one time because of all the hype.
Then I saw him and thought, “Really? A fast 40-time and high vertical leap got him all this hype?” He may run fast and jump high but he doesn’t do what inside linebackers have to be able to do. They have to fill gaps hard and I’ve seen safeties do a better job of taking on offensive linemen than McKinney.
And if your’e not a thumper, you should at least be able to cover or get to the quarterback.
Now that’s and idea!
Move that 40-speed to the outside and let him get after the quarterback after teaching him some pass-rush moves. But the idea of McKinney going in the first round is absurd as I wouldn’t take him in the second. But McKinney will blow up the combine and an organization is going to see that athleticism and think they can turn him into something in the second round.