Atlanta Falcons should trade Takk McKinley after Vic Beasley debacle
With the Atlanta Falcons moving on from Vic Beasley after five years and 78 games, one thing becomes very clear, Takk McKinley’s fifth-year option is a non-option and 2020 should be his last year in Atlanta.
When the Atlanta Falcons drafted Takk McKinley out of UCLA in 2017, the had high hopes that he and Vic Beasley would become one of the most dominant and feared pass rushers in the National Football League. As we all know, that never materialized.
Instead, during their three seasons together, Vic and Takk recorded sacks in the same game just twice, both in 2019.
If lack of production was the only reason that the Atlanta Falcons decided to move on from Vic Beasley, then one thing is clear – 2020 should be Takk McKinley’s last year in Atlanta. If the bar that Vic Beasley set in five years is too low, then the output from McKinley is embarrassing at best and the team should get ready to move on.
After his third season, look where Takk McKinley sits in comparison to where Vic was at the same point.
Games Played/Started:
- McKinley: 45/21
- Beasley: 46/36
Total Sacks:
- McKinley: 16.5
- Beasley: 24.5
Total tackles:
- McKinley: 71
- Beasley: 94
QB Hits:
- McKinley: 38
- Beasley: 26
Forced Fumbles:
- McKinley: 2
- Beasley: 9
Tackles for loss:
- McKinley: 21
- Beasley: 21
Takk McKinley would have to have a monster year in year four for the Atlanta Falcons to even consider his $10.1 million fifth-year option. We all know the Atlanta Falcons paid Beasley nearly $13 million with his fifth year, but Vic was clearly more productive in his first three seasons, despite the position and coaching changes that took place.
Further, while Atlanta Falcons general manager is taking a deep look at this roster for the 2020 season and beyond if he does not see a future for McKinley in the black and red, why not trade him now so that you get something for him?
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The Atlanta Falcons had several opportunities to trade Vic Beasley and get something for him and never did. Now, they have no Beasley and no compensation for him. In the more than the decade that Dimitroff has been at the helm of the Falcons, they had not resigned a first-round draft pick and now that this streak has been broken, they need to be smart and realize it’s better to get something now than get nothing in the future.