Film Study: Could Benardrick McKinney bring some punch to Green Bay Packers defense?

Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Benardrick McKinney (50) grabs Texas A&M Aggies running back Trey Williams (3). Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Shedding blocks …

One thing that separates McKinney from the rest of the inside linebackers in this year’s draft class is his ability to shed blocks.

The Packers need an inside linebacker who can hold his ground against bigger offensive linemen to clog running lanes but also have the ability to shed blocks and make plays.

In this next clip McKinney uses his strength to knock a 300-pound guard back on his heels and then drive the lineman back into the ball carrier.

Despite his height, McKinney plays with leverage and uses his long arms to engage blockers and drive them off the point of attack.

He also uses his length to shed blocks and keep linemen from driving him out of the play.

In this clip from his game against Texas A&M, watch how McKinney throws off the guard to make the stop.

McKinney quickly disengages the block and wraps up the back before the back can break a big run up the middle.

Against Auburn, McKinney again demonstrates his ability to break off blocks and track down the ball carrier.

In this next play, he meets the center a few yards off the line of scrimmage, but as he sees the quarterback scramble outside of the pocket, McKinney throws off the block and chases the quarterback down for a loss.

McKinney’s ability to disengage blockers is perhaps his most underrated ability as a linebacker prospect, and it’s one of the subtle things about his game that makes him unique going into the draft.

The other linebackers in this year’s class, with perhaps the exception of Stephone Anthony, just can’t shed blocks as well as McKinney.

Next: Generating Pressure