Green Bay Packers 7-Round Mock Draft

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Sep 20, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Benardrick McKinney (50) tackles LSU Tigers running back Kenny Hilliard (27) during the third quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 1 Pick 30: Benardrick McKinney ILB (Mississippi State)

Coach Mike McCarthy minced no words admitting the team needs help in the inside linebacker position.

“I think the inside linebacker position could probably be compared to where we were last year at the safety position,” McCarthy told Fox Sports.

While the Packers drafted safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in the first round last year, now they’ll be looking at solidifying the rush defense. Benardrick McKinney, one of the best linebackers in Mississippi State history, would therefore be the right call.

McKinney led the MSU “psycho defense” in tackles and sacks his sophomore year, and he topped the tackles chart his third year before entering the draft as a junior. At 6 foot 4 and 246 pounds, the ALL-SEC and ALL-American has long arms and a big frame that can battle blockers. For a man his size, he has surprisingly rapid acceleration that helps corral rushers as well as above-average lateral movement to halt the run game.

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