Yesterday, the Texans and Dolphins exchanged starting linebackers Bernardrick McKinney and Shaq Lawson in a deal that also included a couple of late round picks (Houston receives a 2021 sixth-round and Miami receives a 2021 seventh-round pick). The deal looks to help each player because both will be heading to a defensive scheme that will be able to use their talents better.
McKinney, a Pro Bowl middle linebacker who came off a season in 2020, in which he played only four games due to shoulder surgery, requested to be traded over the last few days. He was a 2015 second-round pick for Houston and has been a starter for them since then, recording three 100-plus tackle seasons while being named to the Pro Bowl in 2018. With his departure to Miami, McKinney adds to the latest list of long-time Texans recently moving on from the team. He will now look to help Brian Flores’ new-look defense.
As for Lawson, an outside linebacker who also played some defensive end last year with the Dolphins, will now play for his third team in three seasons. He was a 2016 first-round pick by the Buffalo Bills and played four seasons there before signing as a free agent with Miami in 2020. This past season, in aqua and white, Lawson had 32 tackles, four sacks, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in 14 games; seven of which were starts. He never quite provided the type of production the Dolphins were looking for as a pass rusher in his one year with the team.
Now in Houston, Lawson becomes an upgrade at edge rusher and a tough, reliable run stopper. This move should help the Texans defense improve and help them forget about J.J. Watt, who they released earlier this offseason.
