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Three All-Pro’s the Atlanta Falcons passed up for Takk McKinley

By Joe Beasley

Oct 22, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive end Takkarist McKinley (98) does a selfie as he leaves the field after the Falcons defeated the New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive end Takkarist McKinley (98) does a selfie as he leaves the field after the Falcons defeated the New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta Falcons
Oct 25, 2020; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (32) intercepts a pass against Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson (32) in the first half during a game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY NETWORKNfl Seattle Seahawks At Arizona Cardinals /

Budda Baker

Keanu Neal is everything you could ask for in a safety. He’s a smart player, one of the hardest hitters in football, and always seems to find himself around the ball. Richard Allen has been a good running mate for him but the Falcons had an opportunity to get someone better.

Ten picks after the Atlanta Falcons selected Takk, the Cardinals drafted safety Budda Baker with the fourth overall selection in the second round. Baker was initially the backup for Tyrann Mathieu, but he was so good, the Cardinals felt comfortable with moving on from Honey Badger and allowed Baker to take his spot.

All Baker has done since then is make the Pro Bowl and All-Pro team as a rookie and last season, he made his second Pro Bowl team. This year, he looks like one of the best defensive players in the NFL and is in the running for Defensive Player of the year. Baker has become one of, if not the best defensive player on the Cardinals that boast names like Patrick Petersen and Chandler Jones.

Three reasons why Takk McKinley is the biggest bust of the Thomas Dimitroff era. light. Related Story

A safety duo of Budda Baker and Keanu Neal would have been one of the best in the NFL but once again the Falcone choked on a first-round pick, something they’ve done quite a few times over the past 15 years.

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