2017 NFL Draft Daily Chicago Bears Target: UCLA EDGE Takkarist McKinley
Takkarist McKinley is another 2017 NFL Draft target that makes a ton of sense for the Chicago Bears.
The 2017 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away. We continue to look at draft targets for the Chicago Bears with talented UCLA edge rusher Takkarist McKinley up next.
I would not call edge rusher a massive need for the Bears. They drafted Leonard Floyd in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft and he appears to have an exciting future of sacking quarterbacks ahead of him. Floyd and Pernell McPhee make up a strong starting duo on the outside and Willie Young provides quality depth behind them.
The Bears definitely have more pressing needs in the secondary, but you can never have too many players who can get after the quarterback. If the right situation presents itself, I could certainly see the Bears taking a shot on an edge rusher early in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Exciting Natural Upside
Takkarist McKinley is considered a first round prospect by most. He is a strong and athletic rusher who has a ton of upside at the next level. However, he is a raw player who could easily slip out of the first round. If that were to happen, I could see McKinley becoming a big-time target for the Bears in the early second round.
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McKinley has great burst and bend around the edge. He is an extremely fast rusher who shows good short area quickness as well. The UCLA product is a relentless player who is always working to get to the ball. His high motor is a major strength of his on the outside and an underrated part of being a successful pass rusher.
It is not all positive, however, as McKinley is not exactly well-rounded as a pass rusher. He does not show an advanced repertoire of pass rushing moves. McKinley relies on his speed and athleticism far too often and has to learn more pass rushing moves in order to be successful at the next level.
He is a raw talent, but McKinley has a ton of upside as an NFL edge rusher. I could see the Bears bringing him in and specifically putting him in situations to succeed early in his career. With the depth that they already have at the position, the Bears could bring McKinley along slowly, allowing him to grow as a player during his rookie season.
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However, if he were to expand his game and become a complete rusher, the Bears would be set at the position for a very long time. A starting pass rushing duo of Floyd and McKinley would be an extremely scary proposition for opposing quarterbacks to face on a weekly basis. McKinley is a talented player who the Bears need to be considering in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft if he is still available.