2015 NFL Mock Draft: Post-Super Bowl Edition

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

24. Arizona Cardinals- Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State

Arizona’s defense held up extremely well in 2014 considering that they played the entire year without two of their best defensive players, Daryl Washington and Darnell Dockett. While they got decent production out of 34-year-old inside linebacker Larry Foote, they can’t expect that to hold up much longer if at all, since Foote is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Safety Deone Bucannon is able to step up and play a de facto inside linebacker role in certain packages, but Arizona could use a legitimate three-down linebacker, and Mississippi State’s Benardrick McKinney can be that guy.

The 6-foot-5, 245-pounder needs to get more assertive in pursuit and refine his tackling form, but he’s extremely athletic, and his great closing speed could make him a dominant force as a tackler if he ends up fixing those issues. He’s also a very good pass rusher and because of his size and skill set, he may actually have a future as an edge rusher if a team chooses to put him there.

Next: 25. Carolina Panthers