Hey Mike, if it came down to it and the Patriots were going to take a LB and both Eli Harold and Benardrick McKinney were available, who’d you go with? Harold offers great athleticism and interesting versatility, but McKinney seems like an instant starter that can enforce the middle of a defense for the next 5-7 years.

Early on I might’ve said McKinney but after digging deeper and deeper on both guys I’m definitely going with Harold. McKinney is solid but there’s nothing “wow” about him. McKinney would project as a middle linebacker, but given that they had Jerod Mayo at MLB in this scheme last year, I wouldn’t necessarily say McKinney steps into that role, regardless of Mayo being back or not.

Harold on the other hand is a clear schematic fit the way that Collins is. His best fit is at outside linebacker in the Pats’ scheme, but I could also see him filling in as a defensive end, designated pass rusher, even nickel linebacker.

Harold can do more things in the defense and that’s why I think his value is much higher than McKinney. The more I watch of McKinney the more I’m lukewarm on him, while the more I see of Harold the more high I get on him.