Fansided

2017 NFL Mock Draft: Mitchell Trubisky to 49ers

By Brad Weiss

Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws the ball against the Stanford Cardinal defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws the ball against the Stanford Cardinal defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
22 of 32
Next
October 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Takkarist McKinley (98) brings down Arizona Wildcats quarterback Khalil Tate (14) during the second half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Takkarist McKinley (98) brings down Arizona Wildcats quarterback Khalil Tate (14) during the second half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
22

Takkarist McKinley

DE, UCLA

The Miami Dolphins took a step in the right direction this past season, making the playoffs in Adam Gase’s first season as the team’s head coach. Gase completely changed the culture in South Beach, giving the Dolphins a winning attitude on, and off the field. As the team looks towards 2017, they need to keep moving forward, and bolstering their defense has to be a priority heading into the draft.

The Dolphins brought in Mario Williams to play on one side of the defensive line, hoping the veteran could catch lightning in a bottle at his older age. However, Williams had a rough season in Miami, and was released after the season. Miami needs to bring in somebody to play on the other side of the line opposite Cameron Wake, and Takkarist McKinley would be a nice fit in the Dolphins defensive scheme.

McKinley is going to have surgery on his balky right shoulder, though it should not affect his draft status. McKinley is expected to miss four-to-six months rehabbing his shoulder, which has given him trouble throughout his career at UCLA. He is lightning quick off the ball, and if the Dolphins want to continue to be a playoff team, they are going to have to be better at getting after the quarterback in 2017.

Home/NFL Draft