Meet Takkarist "Takk" McKinley-OLB UCLA

[Shawn]

I didn't do much in the way of scouting last year, but I plan to ameliorate that this year. This is my disclaimer- I'm not saying Takk would be my personal pick. But, one thing I have learned is that Tomlin and Co. look at the draft much differently than I do. They like twitchy players, athletes who show up at the combine.

Takk is 6 foot 2, 258 pounds and will play OLB in the NFL. After watching him, I'm convinced the Steelers will have him very high on their draft board. He is a twitchy pass rusher who is very fluid. He appears to have terrific instincts and motor. I wouldn't be surprised if he is sub 4.6. He is impressively explosive and plays with good awareness. IMO, he is very much built in the mold of Bud Dupree.

Weakness-He isn't a great tackler. He isn't super physical. He relies very much on finesse (much like bud) to get to the QB. His bull rush (again like Bud) is nearly non-existent.

I believe he can come in immediately on passing downs and get PT while he works on developing a bull rush and NFL power. He is one of those guys the Steelers will drool over and want to groom.

[buccoray61]

There was a 3 round mock draft on NFL.com and it had him as the Steelers first pick.

[Shawn]

Very nice. I didn't see that. I did look at Walters who had some OLB from Missouri who I hadn't heard of before now.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

I didn't do much in the way of scouting last year, but I plan to ameliorate that this year. This is my disclaimer- I'm not saying Takk would be my personal pick. But, one thing I have learned is that Tomlin and Co. look at the draft much differently than I do. They like twitchy players, athletes who show up at the combine.

Takk is 6 foot 2, 258 pounds and will play OLB in the NFL. After watching him, I'm convinced the Steelers will have him very high on their draft board. He is a twitchy pass rusher who is very fluid. He appears to have terrific instincts and motor. I wouldn't be surprised if he is sub 4.6. He is impressively explosive and plays with good awareness. IMO, he is very much built in the mold of Bud Dupree.

Weakness-He isn't a great tackler. He isn't super physical. He relies very much on finesse (much like bud) to get to the QB. His bull rush (again like Bud) is nearly non-existent.

I believe he can come in immediately on passing downs and get PT while he works on developing a bull rush and NFL power. He is one of those guys the Steelers will drool over and want to groom.

dude, you're stealing my mock... though i don't think Mixon lasts til 4...

[The Man of Steel]

Does this kid have skinny arms just like that last LB the Steelers drafted out of UCLA?

[Jooser]

Nice. But, can he play QB? Since our current one has had it up to his eyeballs with our clown act of a coaching staff, we may need a QB instead.....

[Real Deal Steel]

Hey, we still gotta add some more to that secondary too as well as some depth on the D-line.

[Shawn]

dude, you're stealing my mock... though i don't think Mixon lasts til 4...

LOL...hey you are stealing MY mock
You may be right on Mixon. I've heard various things through the grapevine. My understanding is that quite a few teams probably will not have him on their board. A history of breaking a woman's face is significant. I've seen some suggest he won't be drafted based on this one incident.

I personally think he is drafted before the 5th. He is a top 15 talent, no doubt. It's about which organization is willing to absorb the public and media scrutiny associated with drafting a woman beater.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

LOL...hey you are stealing MY mock
You may be right on Mixon. I've heard various things through the grapevine. My understanding is that quite a few teams probably will not have him on their board. A history of breaking a woman's face is significant. I've seen some suggest he won't be drafted based on this one incident.

I personally think he is drafted before the 5th. He is a top 15 talent, no doubt. It's about which organization is willing to absorb the public and media scrutiny associated with drafting a woman beater.

you did save me the write up on the kids. and as your resident RB scout, Mixon's the best RB in the draft. You don't risk it with this kid. You take him at the end of the 2nd. What I've read on his incident is it wasn't Ray Rice-ish, it was "self defense", which still doesn't make it an easy sell...

May as well include my own write up here

1. Takkarist McKinley, OLB, UCLA - Pure speed. Pure athlete. This guy has excelled as speed rush - wait'll Peezy can give him some technique to go with that speed. This would be a great fit for this young, talented and fast defense

2. Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma - Watch some of his highlight reels. He already looks like Leveon Bell in the pass game. And he's a gifted runner, who presently shares a backfield with Samaje Perrine. This would completely eliminate the need for any other RB on this team. Only reason he's on the board at this point is his "Ray Rice" event with him punching a woman (though, his was "self defense").


3. Jake Butt, TE Michigan - The second best pass-catching TE in the draft behind OJ Howard, but, a better blocker - torn ACL is likely to make miss the next season. Perfect fit for this team.

Other guys I'm eyeing for later rounds:
4. Damontae Kazee, CB, San Diego St - solid cover skills, smooth athlete; between Gay losing a step and the unknown in Senquez, a DB is in order at some point
5. Isaac Rochell, DE, Notre Dame - Run stuffing DE, with "average" 34DE pass rush ability.
6. Riley Bullough, ILB, Michigan State - high IQ, but, slightly undersized ILB - will need weight room work

[steelerkeylargo]

I Like Tak. If Carl Lawson checks out medically I'd love him. His game is very Joey Porter like. Joe Mixon is a Lev Bell clone. I've seen all his snaps. I think a TE in the 3rd is a luxury even though Butt would be a steal there.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

I Like Tak. If Carl Lawson checks out medically I'd love him. His game is very Joey Porter like. Joe Mixon is a Lev Bell clone. I've seen all his snaps. I think a TE in the 3rd is a luxury even though Butt would be a steal there.

I also like Lawson - just tough mentality... football player. wouldn't be surprised to see him on the board with our 2nd round pick. due to injury concerns

BTW, my mostest favoritestsest player that may be just gone is Zach Cunningham, ILB, Vandy. While slightly undersized (skinnier than Shazier at draft time; similar weight, 2 inches taller), he's just the first dude to react to every dang play. Diagnosis skills are off the charts. If he's there at 30, I pass on ANYBODY else. Seriously, ANYBODY. I think he's the biggest lock of all the players expected to go 20 or lower... Will be a pro bowler by year 2. Might would consider a trade up for him if it's just a handful of spots to trade up... i feel that confident in his skills.

in fact, my dream draft (of guys i think will be "just misses" by round):
1. Zach Cunningham, ILB, Vandy
2. Carl Lawson, OLB, Auburn
3. Malachi Dupree, WR, LSU

[steelerkeylargo]

I also like Lawson - just tough mentality... football player. wouldn't be surprised to see him on the board with our 2nd round pick. due to injury concerns

BTW, my mostest favoritestsest player that may be just gone is Zach Cunningham, ILB, Vandy. While slightly undersized (skinnier than Shazier at draft time; similar weight, 2 inches taller), he's just the first dude to react to every dang play. Diagnosis skills are off the charts. If he's there at 30, I pass on ANYBODY else. Seriously, ANYBODY. I think he's the biggest lock of all the players expected to go 20 or lower... Will be a pro bowler by year 2. Might would consider a trade up for him if it's just a handful of spots to trade up... i feel that confident in his skills.

in fact, my dream draft (of guys i think will be "just misses" by round):
1. Zach Cunningham, ILB, Vandy
2. Carl Lawson, OLB, Auburn
3. Malachi Dupree, WR, LSU

Love Cunningham too, but don't see him making it to us. Could be a year where back to back LB are a possibility. Just like Timmons and Woodley. I like Mcmillian and Ryan Anderson too.

[SteelDecipher]

I didn't do much in the way of scouting last year, but I plan to ameliorate that this year. This is my disclaimer- I'm not saying Takk would be my personal pick. But, one thing I have learned is that Tomlin and Co. look at the draft much differently than I do. They like twitchy players, athletes who show up at the combine.

Takk is 6 foot 2, 258 pounds and will play OLB in the NFL. After watching him, I'm convinced the Steelers will have him very high on their draft board. He is a twitchy pass rusher who is very fluid. He appears to have terrific instincts and motor. I wouldn't be surprised if he is sub 4.6. He is impressively explosive and plays with good awareness. IMO, he is very much built in the mold of Bud Dupree.

Weakness-He isn't a great tackler. He isn't super physical. He relies very much on finesse (much like bud) to get to the QB. His bull rush (again like Bud) is nearly non-existent.

I believe he can come in immediately on passing downs and get PT while he works on developing a bull rush and NFL power. He is one of those guys the Steelers will drool over and want to groom.

Clearly they need to draft an edge rush player- and I haven't seen a lick of his film so...

If that scouting report is accurate, I'd be scared. Okay he's athletic. Okay he's quick. But to play olb in the Steelers' scheme, you have to be able to hold the edge and stop the run.

Maybe- this is a guy you can bring in and put some mass and strength on, and develop into the player you want.

Also viable 1st round options- FS (gotta find a way to get mitchell off the field) or CB Cockrell should be a #3 or #4, not a 2.

[Oviedo]

Hopefully the guy isn't another Bruce Davis from UCLA

PAC-12 pass rushers may be like PAC-12 QBs. Great in college but few stars in the Pros

[SidSmythe]

I don't want a finesse guy.