Cleveland Browns: 3 trade targets on Falcons should they sell
By Cory Kinnan
1. EDGE Takk McKinley
The Falcons have whiffed on a few first round pass rushers over the years. First it was Vic Beasley who managed just one good season before proving ineffective, and now Takk McKinley has not lived up to the hype. This offseason, the Falcons have already opted to turn down his fifth-year option, making him a free agent after this season. This should make McKinley fairly inexpensive to acquire with a potential big upside in return.
Thus far in his career with the Falcons, the former first round pick has totaled just 17.5 sacks in three and a half years. His best season coming in his second year in 2018, McKinley racked up seven sacks, seven tackles for loss, and 15 hits on opposing quarterbacks. This season however, McKinley has only played in four games, raking up one sack, one tackle behind the line of scrimmage, and seven hits on opposing quarterbacks.
Given the lack of firepower off the edge in Cleveland outside of Myles Garrett, the Browns could use McKinley’s services in a rotational role. Olivier Vernon has proven to be rather effective against the run, but does not generate much hype as a pass rusher off the edge. Outside of that, the Browns are playing Porter Gustin and Adrian Clayborn as their rotational pieces.
If he proves to be effective over the back half of the season, the Browns may be able to re-sign McKinley on the cheap on a short term deal. The Falcons are already rumored to be shopping him, the Browns should at least call and get an asking price on McKinley.