Takkarist McKinley Visits the Dallas Cowboys
The search for a pass rusher continues this offseason as the Dallas Cowboys bring in a highly-rated outside linebacker/defensive end prospect for a pre-draft visit.
Takkarist McKinley was in Dallas on Sunday and the Cowboys got the chance to pick his brain before the draft. For years now, the team's pass rush has been quite mediocre and they really need to make upgrades this offseason. Well, McKinley could be the answer to their pass rush problems.
McKinley is definitely a promising edge rusher, but he's coming off an injury to his shoulder. He had surgery last month he's going to need four to six months to recover.
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Using a first or second round pick on a player who just had surgery can be risky, but the Cowboys have never been afraid to take risks. In fact, they do that almost annually. Of course, it doesn't always pan out.
McKinley has been projected to go early in the second round and the Cowboys can use the 28th overall pick to grab him. They can also use the 60th overall pick on him if they are confident that he will slip further down the draft board.
Meanwhile, NFL.com's Lance Zierlein seems to think very highly of McKinley and he even compared him to Kansas City Chiefs' Tamba Hali. That's quite a comparison. After all, Hali is a five-time Pro Bowl player and he also made the All-Pro second-team twice.
"Ascending edge prospect who racked up impressive TFL and sack numbers this year despite a relatively raw approach and skill set. He's a little stiff in his lower body, but flashes good athleticism once the ball is snapped. McKinley's motor is a translatable characteristic, but improved hand usage and pass rush mechanics are what could elevate his game to another level as a starting, 3–4 outside linebacker," Zierlein said in his scouting report.
