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Houston Texans positional breakdown: Inside linebackers

By Randy Gurzi

Oct 18, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson (15) is tackled by Houston Texans inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney (55) and cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) during the second half of a football game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson (15) is tackled by Houston Texans inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney (55) and cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) during the second half of a football game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 18, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson (15) is tackled by Houston Texans inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney (55) and cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) during the second half of a football game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson (15) is tackled by Houston Texans inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney (55) and cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) during the second half of a football game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

The sophomore starter, Benardrick McKinney

A second-round pick out of Mississippi State, Benardrick McKinney hopes to make a big jump for the Texans in 2016.

Vitals
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 246 Pounds
Age: 23
Career tackles: 63
Career sacks: 1
Career INTs: 0

Houston traded up in the 2015 draft to grab one of the better inside linebackers available in the NFL Draft, and McKinney was able to make the team happy with that pick, despite a slow start.

McKinney began the year looking to struggle some with taking the correct angles and missed a tackle or two. Eventually the rookie found a way to get to the starting lineup and played in 14 games with 11 starts.

The stout run-stuffer finished with 63 tackles and a sack and looks and has earned the praise of his highly touted running mate.

"“You can see the progression in his game from week-to-week, and the kind of level he was playing at towards the end of the season,” Brian Cushing said via HoustonTexans.com. “He’s a very good counterpart. Someone I’m excited to play again with this year and see him grow some more.”"

Look for McKinney to take that next step and show the world why Houston moved up to grab him last season.

Season prediction: 81 tackles, 8 for a loss, 1 interception, 4 forced fumbles

Next: Experienced depth

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