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2017 NFL Draft: Twitter Reacts to Atlanta Falcons Pick of Takkarist McKinley

By Randy Gurzi

Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Takkarist McKinley (UCLA) poses on the red carpet before the start of the 2017 NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Takkarist McKinley (UCLA) poses on the red carpet before the start of the 2017 NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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After the Atlanta Falcons moved up from the 31st pick in the 2017 NFL Draft to select UCLA’s Takkarist McKinley 26th overall, Twitter responded

Heading into the 2017 NFL Draft there really were a ton of questions about what the Atlanta Falcons might do with the 31st pick. Reports suggested they may trade up — although many fans wanted them to trade back and acquire more picks.

Atlanta ended up staying true to the rumors and the moved up from the second-to-last pick to number 26. There were several options on the board, all of which could have really helped the Falcons.

Choices could have included Washington’s Budda Baker at safety or Western Kentucky’s Forrest Lamp at offensive guard. Instead Atlanta added UCLA EDGE Takkarist McKinley. The reactions came in immediately on twitter. Let’s check a few out;

https://twitter.com/FB5YS/status/857793918418563074

As is usually the case with social media, not all comments were happy. There were those who wondered about a guy who is currently recovering from a shoulder injury and had just one year of solid production as a Bruin.

There were also some a little confused by his “emotional” interview following the pick. McKinley paid tribute to his lat grandmother and already talked about getting fined by  the NFL. Unsurprisingly some on Twitter noticed.

McKinley recorded ten sacks in his final season for the Bruins. He spent his first two seasons asa rotational player before becoming a full-time starter as a junior. He suffered a shoulder injury which required surgery and could keep him out until at least mini camp.