Houston Texans: Bernardick McKinney snubbed yet again from NFL Top 100 list
Houston Texans’ inside linebacker Bernardrick McKinney was finally voted in as the starter for the 2019 Pro Bowl but has not been able to crack the top 100 despite being one of the most productive players in the NFL.
The Houston Texans had four players in the 2019 NFL top 100 editions, which consisted of Deshaun Watson, J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, and DeAndre Hopkins. Each of those players was no-brainers since they are arguably some of the best players at their respective position, but Bernardick McKinney also deserved to be recognized as one of the better players at his position.
He made the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career last season as a starter. McKinney was ranked second on the team in tackles last season and has led the team in tackles in each of the previous two years. McKinney had the same amount of tackles but more sacks than C.J. Mosley, who was the other starting inside linebacker for the AFC Pro Bowl team. However, Mosley was recognized as #71 best player on the NFL top 100.
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McKinney had a career-high 129 tackles and 5 sacks, en route to being named 2nd team All-Pro in 2016. He was the only inside linebacker in the league with 100 plus tackles and at least 5 sacks yet still did not merit any attention for the annual top 100 list.
Despite being named an All-Pro, he was also not included in the Pro Bowl roster. McKinney ended up having a more productive season than C.J. Mosley and Dont’a Hightower, who were named the middle linebackers for the AFC Roster.
McKinney also didn’t make the top 100 list despite having both more tackles and sacks than Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis and Hightower, who each made the 2017 list.
His valuable production, however, has earned him a contract extension that makes him one of the better-paid players at his position. It will keep him through the end of the 2023 season, and allow him to play through his prime with the Texans as he is only 26 years of age.
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McKinney has continually been slept on as one of the most consistent and productive players in the league, but the Texans are thriving due to his emergence in their front seven.