Benardrick McKinney To Visit Saints (PurpleDrank18's favorite!)

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@MikeTriplett: RT @SeanFazende: Mississippi St. LB Benardrick McKinney will visit Saints this week, source says

m.twitter.com/MikeTriplett

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Benardrick McKinney (ILB)
HT: 6'4" WT: 246LBS.
POSITION: ILB
SCHOOL: Mississippi St.
ARM LENGTH: 33"
HANDS: 9"

Overview

Started every game and led the team in tackles in 2014 and 2013. Selected first-team All-SEC and second-team All-American in 2014. Selected to Freshman All-SEC Team in 2012 and took a redshirt in 2011. Was starting quarterback for Rosa Fort High School (Miss.) his senior season, finishing with 15 touchdown passes and 7 rushing touchdowns. He also finished with 34 tackles and was the team's punter.

COMBINE STATS

40 YARD DASH: 4.66 SEC
BENCH PRESS: 16 REPS
VERTICAL JUMP: 40.5 INCH
BROAD JUMP: 121.0 INCH
3 CONE DRILL: 7.21 SEC
20 YARD SHUTTLE: 4.27 SEC

Strengths

Tall, proportionally built inside linebacker with ability to play outside. Has thick, powerful legs. Good straight-line speed to chase. True take-on linebacker who can meet linemen head-on or beat them to the spot and leverage his gap with above average play strength. Scrapes and stalks while using length and powerful hands to keep himself free and clear of blockers. Steps into hole and fires into running back, finishing with wrap-up tackle. Able to run downfield in seam with tight ends. Aware of cutback lanes and rarely runs himself out of the play. Shows very good attention to assignment. Seems to have a nose for the play and is frequently in the mix. Has value on special teams and as a blitzer. Has adequate football intelligence.

Weaknesses

Plays high and is lacking suddenness. High center of gravity causes clunky change of direction in space. Foot quickness in tight quarters is below average and limiting. Instincts against run are there, but tends to fight his feet and marginal agility. Has trouble clearing the trash near his feet and labors against cut blocks, losing lateral momentum. Potential liability against the pass. Looks stiff when asked to cover in space and gives away too much separation to routes in his area in zone coverage.

Bottom Line

Productive, steady performer in the middle with above-average size and length for the position but below-average agility. McKinney plays within the scheme and finds himself near the play frequently. He plays with strength and has an ability to take on offensive linemen and get downhill to finish his tackles. McKinney looks like an above-average NFL inside linebacker who could become part of a really good defense. He lacks star-making talent, though.