Rating the NFL draft prospects: Linebackers

Mississippi State middle linebacker Benardrick McKinney was excellent against the run in the Southeastern Conference last season. McKinney had 243 tackles, including 19½ for a loss.The Journal Sentinel's Bob McGinn assesses the top linebackers in the draft this week. Included is each player's height, weight, 40-yard dash time and projected round.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS

1. BENARDRICK McKINNEY, Mississippi State (6-4, 247, 4.65, 1-2): Fourth-year junior from Tunica, Miss. "I like him just because he's a bigger guy," one scout said. "I could see him filling that Dont'a Hightower role. Being that big ol' guy taking on guards." High-school QB started at OLB in 2012 and at MLB in 2013-'14. "Great kid,…