What a season it has been for the Atlanta Falcons, who appear to have the firepower on offense to make a deep run in 2016. Quarterback Matt Ryan is playing some of the best football of his career, and Julio Jones is an absolute monster on the outside. Â Their offense can play with anybody, but far too often we see the Falcons defense giving up yards in chunks throughout the game.
The team is dying for a dominant defensive lineman, and that player could be UCLA’s Takkarist McKinley. McKinley is a fast-rising prospect in the 2017 draft class, and it is his explosiveness that really separates him from the pack. He is very long and athletic, which makes him a prototypical pass rusher at the next level.
The Bruins are in the midst of a very bad season, but McKinley has been dominant throughout. He has incredible closing speed for a guy his size, and his combination of strength and speed will play well at the next level. The Falcons are a contender, and one or two pieces on their defense could keep them there for a long time.