Three reasons why Takk McKinley is the biggest bust of the Thomas Dimitroff era
![Nov 17, 2019; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen (7) gets sacked by Atlanta Falcons defensive end Takkarist McKinley (98) during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports Nov 17, 2019; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen (7) gets sacked by Atlanta Falcons defensive end Takkarist McKinley (98) during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fbloggingdirty-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2017-2F07-2F13680182-850x560-6076c2e1a091c51231ad363d43a07cc436692c56bfbba6efc2a01e7f4afa3981.jpg)
Takk McKinley’s performance left a lot to be desired.
Takk McKinley’s lack of production with the Atlanta Falcons is a huge reason that he is the biggest bust of the Thomas Dimitroff era – remember that includes former draft picks like Vic Beasley, Peria Jerry, and Peter Konz.
Takk was so behind when he arrived that he failed to start even one game as a rookie. When you draft a player in the first round, that guy has to be an immediate impact player and he failed to ever be one.
McKinley appeared in 49 of the 57 possible games over the 3.5 season he was in Atlanta. He registered a sack in just 14 of those games and was able to register at least one QB hit in 25 of those 49 games.
In the 24 games that he started as a member of the Atlanta Falcons, he registered a sack in just seven of them and had at least one QB hit in 15 of his 24 starts. Neither of those two areas are acceptable for a pass rusher taken in the first round of the NFL draft.
His best game in an Atlanta Falcons uniform came in the first game of this season against the Seattle Seahawks and Russell Wilson. He tallied six QB hits, one tackle for loss, one sack, and even had a pass deflection and he did it all in just 43 defensive snaps.
That sack on Russell Wilson way back in September will be the last sack Takk McKinley will have in a Falcons uniform as he awaits his future as he works his way through the waiver wire and more than likely goes into free agency.