Atlanta Falcons select Takkarist McKinley
With the 26th-overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons selected Takkarist McKinley out of UCLA.
McKinley has a few things going for him. For starters, the youngster out of UCLA is only 21 years old and doesn’t turn 22 until November. This is huge for a career that will see its second contract in his mid-20s instead of the back end. Second, McKinley is the perfect size for an edge rusher who can stand up and use his athleticism to create havoc.
After finding his footing in the college game, McKinley helped the Bruins to a bowl game by notching 10 sacks in 2016, all while earning first-team Pac-12 honors. When you watch his film the most evident thing is McKinley strength and speed coming off the edge, something that was hammered home in his combine performance.
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 250
40-time: 4.59
Bench: 24 reps
Vertical: 33”
Broad: 122”
3-cone: 7.48
Another trait that stands out is McKinley’s awareness. There are multiple plays where the tackle goes to cut him on a quick throw, and McKinley is able to get out of the way and make the play. At the NFL level, understanding what is going on around you is more than half the battle.
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Look for McKinley to be a pure pass-rusher at the next level who eventually learns how to play the run. It might limit him initially to being on the field in pass downs only out of the gate, but he could round into a three-down linebacker in the form of an Elvis Dumervil.