NFL re-draft lands Falcons Steelers superstar T.J. Watt
Atlanta gets a massive upgrade over one of their biggest blunders on the edge in this re-draft.
For a minute there, it appeared that the Atlanta Falcons had their guy. With their first pick in the 2017 NFL draft, Atlanta took Takk McKinley out of UCLA. McKinley came with some promising traits and a colorful personality, replete with a picture of his grandma and an adorable French bulldog named Codeine.
McKinley's pro career got off to a promising start, as he posted six sacks in his rookie season to go with 10 QB hits. The following year Takk bumped those numbers to seven sacks and 15 QB hits. He might have been on the verge of breaking out and becoming a Pro Bowler, but it was all downhill from there.
Injuries took their toll and McKinley managed just 4. 5 sacks over the next two years, an aggravating number given the pressures he produced - Takk just never figured out how to close the deal consistently. After the 2020 campaign he was let go and landed in Cleveland.
He did not suit up for a team last season, meaning his career is likely overwith. It didn't have to go this way, though. There were still plenty of (future) great players on the board when Atlanta took McKinley.