Houston Texans linebacker Benardrick McKinney had a marquee season with a Pro Bowl selection. However, he was considered the second-best linebacker in his own division.
According to Pro Football Focus, the analytics site graded the 26-year-old middle linebacker as having the second-best season in the AFC South behind phenomenal rookie linebacker Darius Leonard, who earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
In the beginning of the year, fellow inside linebacker Zach Cunningham appeared to be on his way to earn accolades. However, the second-year linebacker missed two games, but still led the team with 107 combined tackles. McKinney collected 105 himself, second-best on the team, added 1.5 sacks, deflected seven passes, forced a fumble, and snagged an interception.
The Texans extended McKinney in the 2018 offseason with a five-year, $50 million contract. No doubt the former 2015 second-round pick from Mississippi State is a part of the future for the AFC South champions.
