The San Francisco 49ers will likely be looking for pass rush help in the 2017 NFL Draft, and one player might very well slip a bit. Jason Cole is reporting that pass rusher Takkarist McKinley will undergo surgery after the NFL Combine, and be sidelined 5-6 months.
DE/OLB Takkarist McKinley said he'll have shoulder surgery (torn labrum, broken glenoid) after full NFL combine workout. 5-6 month recovery.
— Jason Cole (@JasonColeBR) February 23, 2017
The 49ers would not have spent the No. 2 overall pick on someone like McKinley, but with first round projections lately, the injury could knock him down a notch for teams. A shoulder injury for a pass rusher is not the end of the world, but you never know if one of those teams that might have considered him at 20-30 would be hesitant with the injury.
The 49ers are moving out of their 3-4, but they still have plenty of need for edge rushers. They will need someone to fill the “Leo” role in their new defense, and they’ll still need people off the edge in the likely more often used nickel. McKinley seems like a guy with potential, but questions about how his game will translate, but the injury is worth noting.