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The Atlanta Falcons have swapped with the Seattle Seahawks, moving from No. 25 to No. 31. The Falcons took UCLA’s Takkarist McKinley with the selection.
Along with the No. 31 pick, the Falcons gave up a third and seventh round pick in this year’s draft.
McKinley stood out at UCLA’s pro day, despite shoulder surgery that was rather recent. The surgery repaired his torn labrum and will still keep him out of action for a handful of months.
“I still have visits set, but the biggest thing I’m worried about is my rehab, and I’m hitting it hard,” McKinley said in late March. “The doctor just cleared me to drive again only two weeks out of surgery so that’s a plus. Each day I’m getting better, and just sticking with the plan to get healthy.”
McKinley is also a very confident player, as he proved at his pro day.
“I grade myself pretty high so there were a few things I wish I could’ve done better,” McKinley said. “But the combine is the combine. At the end of the day, it’s what you do between the lines, and I feel like I’m the biggest playmaker in the class.”
McKinley is expected to be healthy and ready for training camp at the end of summer.