Dolphins, Texans swap LBs

The Texans are trading LB Benardrick McKinney to the Dolphins in exchange for EDGE Shaq Lawson. (ESPN's Adam Schefter reports there will also be "a swap of late-round picks." McKinney spent most of the past 6 years starting for Houston after arriving as a 2nd-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. He's signed through 2023 at escalating salaries but with cuttable years. McKinney figures to step into a starting role in a LB corps that shed Kyle Van Noy recently. We still prefer Jerome Baker's IDP upside over that of McKinney, though -- assuming Baker keeps his spot. McKinney missed the final 12 games of last season with a shoulder injury. Lawson heads to the Texans after 1 disappointing year with the Dolphins, who signed him in free agency in 2020. He managed just 4 sacks across 14 games. Pro Football Focus, though, did credit Lawson with 15 QB hits, tied for 4th most among all edge players. Houston needs help after seeing no player top 5 sacks in 2020. J.J. Watt collected that team-leading total before leaving for Arizona this offseason. McKinney's departure also leaves room for Christian Kirksey to potentially start next to Zach Cunningham. Kirksey signed a 1-year deal with the Texans earlier this week. Tyrell Adams, who took over after McKinney went down, is set to hit unrestricted free agency this month.