Takkarist Jaune McKinley (born November 2, 1995) is an American professional football defensive end. He played college football at UCLA and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft.

Takkarist McKinley
refer to caption
McKinley in 2017
Personal information
Born: (1995-11-02) November 2, 1995 (age 29)
Oakland, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High school:John F. Kennedy (Richmond, California)
College:UCLA (2014–2016)
Position:Defensive end
NFL draft:2017 / round: 1 / pick: 26
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 7, 2024
Total tackles:107
Sacks:20.5
Forced fumbles:3
Fumble recoveries:1
Pass deflections:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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McKinley attended Kennedy High School in Richmond, California. He played for the Eagles football team.[1] He had 50 tackles and 15 sacks as a junior and 60 tackles and 11 sacks as a senior. He also ran track in high school.

College career

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McKinley originally committed to the University of California, Berkeley but was ruled a non-qualifier and attended Contra Costa College.[2][3] During his one season at Contra Costa College in 2013, he had 33 tackles and 10 sacks. In September 2014, he transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).[4] He played in 10 games that season, making one start, and finished the year with 2.5 sacks.[5][6] As a junior in 2015, McKinley started 12 of 13 games, recording 35 tackles and 3.5 sacks.[7] As a senior in 2016, he recorded 10 sacks.[8]

Professional career

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Pre-draft

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2 in
(1.88 m)
250 lb
(113 kg)
34+34 in
(0.88 m)
9+34 in
(0.25 m)
4.59 s 1.60 s 2.67 s 4.62 s 7.48 s 33 in
(0.84 m)
10 ft 2 in
(3.10 m)
24 reps
All values from NFL Combine[9][10]

McKinley was invited to the NFL Combine as an outside linebacker and completed all the combine drills except for the short shuttle and three-cone drill. He underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum and a fracture in his shoulder socket after the combine. His recovery time was expected to take four to six months, making him unable to participate at UCLA's Pro Day.[11] NFL draft analysts projected McKinley to be selected within the first two rounds.[12][13][14][15][16]

Atlanta Falcons

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McKinley was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round (26th overall) of the 2017 NFL draft.[17][18][19][20] On May 11, McKinley signed a four-year, $10.21 million contract with $7.89 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $5.57 million.[21] He played in all 16 games, recording 20 tackles and six sacks, good for fourth in the league among rookies and second on the team behind Adrian Clayborn.[22]

In Week 4 of the 2018 season, against the Cincinnati Bengals, McKinley recorded a career-high three sacks in a 37–36 loss.[23] He finished the season with 22 combined tackles and a team-high seven sacks. In 2019, McKinley played in 14 games with 13 starts, recording 29 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He suffered a shoulder injury in Week 15 and was placed on injured reserve on December 17, 2019.[24] On April 29, 2020, the Falcons declined the fifth-year option on McKinley's contract.[25]

In November 2020, McKinley publicly requested to be traded after privately requesting the Falcons since 2019, who had turned down several trade offers from other teams.[26][27] He was waived by the team shortly after.[28] The same month, McKinley was claimed off waivers by the Bengals and San Francisco 49ers but had his contracts for both voided due to failed physicals.[29][30]

Las Vegas Raiders

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McKinley was claimed off waivers by the Las Vegas Raiders on November 23, 2020.[31] He was placed on injured reserve on November 27, 2020.[32] He was designated to return from injured reserve on December 15, and began practicing with the team again,[33] but head coach Jon Gruden announced on December 30 that he would not be activated.[34]

Cleveland Browns

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McKinley signed a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns on March 17, 2021.[35] In Week 14, McKinley had two tackles and a sack, including a forced fumble on Tyler Huntley in a 24–22 win over the Baltimore Ravens. He suffered a torn Achilles in the game and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on December 21.[36] He finished the season with 18 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble through 11 games.

Tennessee Titans

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On September 16, 2022, McKinley signed with the practice squad of the Tennessee Titans.[37]

Los Angeles Rams

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On September 21, 2022, McKinley was signed by the Los Angeles Rams off the practice squad of the Titans.[38] His contract was terminated by the Rams on October 18, 2022.[39]

Dallas Cowboys

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On November 16, 2022, McKinley signed with the Dallas Cowboys practice squad, reuniting with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who was his head coach with the Falcons.

On March 22, 2023, the Cowboys re-signed McKinley on a one-year deal.[40] He was released on June 9.[41]

New York Jets

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On June 13, 2024, McKinley signed with the New York Jets.[42] He was released on October 23,[43] but signed to the practice squad on October 31.[44] On December 13, Mckinley was released by the Jets.[45]

NFL statistics

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sack Int Yards Avg Lng TD PD FF FR Yards TD
2017 ATL 16 0 20 15 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 0
2018 ATL 15 8 22 15 7 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019 ATL 14 13 29 18 11 3.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2020 ATL 4 4 8 5 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
2021 CLE 4 0 9 4 5 2.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career 53 25 88 57 31 20 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 1 0 0

[46]

References

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  1. ^ "Takkarist McKinley's draft by the Atlanta Falcons lifts Richmond acquaintances". KTVU. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  2. ^ "From Eagle to Golden Bear, Kennedy High football star commits to Cal". Richmond Confidential. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  3. ^ "Takkarist McKinley's journey to UCLA fueled by memory of his grandmother". Daily News. November 19, 2014. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  4. ^ Cook, Everett. "Finally a Bruin, Takkarist McKinley works to adjust to college ball". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  5. ^ "UCLA's Takkarist McKinley is bigger, smarter after full offseason with Bruins". San Bernardino Sun. November 11, 2014. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  6. ^ "UCLA defensive end Takkarist McKinley has grown into the job". Orange County Register. August 14, 2015. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  7. ^ "Takkarist McKinley: 'I'm going to be the best pass-rusher in the country'". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  8. ^ "Pro comparisons for the 2017 NFL Draft's best pass rushers". Canal Street Chronicles. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  9. ^ "NFL Draft Profile: Takkarist McKinley". NFL.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  10. ^ "Takkarist McKinley, DS #3 OLB, UCLA". nfldraftscout.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  11. ^ Jeff Legwold (March 4, 2017). "Takkarist McKinley to have shoulder surgery, says he'll miss 4-6 months". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  12. ^ Chris Burke (April 25, 2017). "2017 NFL draft rankings: Top prospects by position". si.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  13. ^ Jeff Legwold (April 22, 2017). "Ranking the 2017 Drafts Top 100 Prospects". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  14. ^ "Takkarist McKinley, DS #3 OLB, UCLA". nfldraftscout.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  15. ^ Bucky Brooks (April 12, 2017). "Bucky Brooks' top 5 2017 NFL Draft prospects by position 3.0". NFL.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  16. ^ Mike Mayock (April 12, 2017). "Mike Mayock's top 5 2017 NFL Draft prospects by position 3.0". NFL.com. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  17. ^ Patra, Kevin (April 27, 2017). "Falcons trade up to 26 to select Takkarist McKinley". NFL.com.
  18. ^ Hanzus, Dan (April 27, 2017). "Takkarist McKinley turns draft stage into movie climax". NFL.com.
  19. ^ "Takkarist McKinley on emotional F-bomb: 'Probably got fined already'". ESPN. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  20. ^ "VIDEO: Takkarist McKinley honors grandmother, drops F-bomb in most emotional moment of NFL draft". NY Daily News. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  21. ^ "Sportrac.com: Takkarist McKinley contract". sportrac.com. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  22. ^ "2017 Atlanta Falcons Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  23. ^ "Falcons' Takkarist McKinley: Three sacks in loss". CBSSports.com. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  24. ^ McFadden, Will (December 17, 2019). "Falcons place Takk McKinley on IR". AtlantaFalcons.com.
  25. ^ Shook, Nick (April 29, 2020). "Falcons decline fifth-year option on Takkarist McKinley". NFL.com. Archived from the original on April 30, 2020.
  26. ^ McFadden, Will (November 4, 2020). "Falcons will hold Takk McKinley accountable for 'immature' Twitter comments". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  27. ^ Davenport, Turron (November 4, 2020). "Atlanta Falcons coach: Takk McKinley to be 'held accountable' after tweeting on trade offers". espn.com. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  28. ^ Davenport, Turron (November 9, 2020). "Atlanta Falcons waive former first-round pick Takk McKinley". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  29. ^ Shook, Nick (November 17, 2020). "Bengals waive DL Takkarist McKinley following failed physical". NFL.com. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  30. ^ "49ers Place Three Players on the Reserve/Covid-19 List". 49ers.com. November 20, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  31. ^ "Raiders Claim DE Takkarist Mckinley". November 23, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  32. ^ Williams, Charean (November 27, 2020). "Raiders place Takk McKinley on injured reserve". NBCSports.com. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  33. ^ "Raiders sign Vic Beasley to 53-man roster, designate Takk McKinley for return from IR". Raiders.com. December 15, 2020. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  34. ^ Damien, Levi (December 30, 2020). "DE Takkarist McKinley will not play for Raiders this season". USAToday.com. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  35. ^ Gribble, Andrew (March 17, 2021). "Browns agree to terms with DE Takkarist McKinley". ClevelandBrowns.com.
  36. ^ "Browns place DE Takkarist McKinley on injured reserve, sign DE Porter Gustin to active roster". ClevelandBrowns.com. December 21, 2021.
  37. ^ "Titans add Takkarist McKinley to practice squad, promote Chris Jackson". USAToday.com. September 16, 2022.
  38. ^ "Rams Sign Ex Falcons 1st Round Pick Takk McKinley To Active Roster". SI.com. September 21, 2022.
  39. ^ @RamsNFL (October 18, 2022). "LA Rams Transactions: • Reserve/Injured DB Grant Haley, T Joe Noteboom • Terminated all contracts DE Takk McKinley • Free Agent Signing T Ty Nsekhe" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  40. ^ "Updates: Cowboys Re-Sign Pass-Rusher McKinley". dallascowboys.com. March 22, 2023.
  41. ^ "Takk McKinley Released By Cowboys, Back in FA". dallascowboys.com. June 9, 2023.
  42. ^ "Jets Sign DL Takk McKinley". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  43. ^ Greenberg, Ethan (October 23, 2024). "Jets Sign S Jalen Mills to Active Roster; Place OL Xavier Newman on Injured Reserve". NewYorkJets.com.
  44. ^ Greenberg, Ethan (October 31, 2024). "Jets Place WR Allen Lazard, DT Leku Fotu on IR; Sign K Riley Patterson, OL Alec Lindstrom to Active Roster". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  45. ^ Camino, Tony. "Jets Release DE Takkarist McKinley". BVM Sports. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  46. ^ "Takkarist McKinley Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
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