NFL teams must be kicking themselves after they missed out on former Mississippi State LB Benardrick McKinney in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

McKinney fell to the second round, where he was selected by the Houston Texans with the No. 43 overall pick and has done nothing but dominate the NFL ever since.

In 2016, McKinney recorded 79 tackles and five sacks to help lead a stout Houston defense. Entering his third professional season, McKinney looks as if he’ll be even better this fall. Texans coach Bill O’Brien told the Houston Chronicle that he’s thrilled the ex-Bulldog fell to the second round:

“Benardrick’s getting better and better every year,” O’Brien said. “He’s a guy who I have a lot of respect for. He came in here and learned the game pretty quickly. I thought he had a Pro Bowl-type of year last year.

“Last year’s over, but I think the guy is poised to have a really good career here. A lot of it is going to have to do with health, but I think as long as he stays healthy he’s a hell of a football player.”

O’Brien’s sentiments are echoed around the league, as one anonymous scout said he’d be happy to build a defense around the ex-Bulldog:

“I’d be very comfortable starting my defense with McKinney as my first pick,” an AFC college scouting director said. “He’s an absolute stud. He’s so big and strong, but, at the same time, he runs so well. If you could redo the draft, he’d be a first-rounder, easily.

“The Texans really hit on this guy. He’s special.”

With J.J. Watt returning from an injury-plagued season and Jadeveon Clowney, Whitney Mercilus and other talented defenders, the Texans will be tough to score on in 2017.

If McKinney takes another step toward stardom, Houston may end this season with the NFL’s best defense.