Jacksonville Jaguars: 3 potential trades to make before deadline

The Jacksonville Jaguars need to find ways to generate pressure upfront.

Most casual fans may remember defensive end Takkarist McKinley as the player that cursed back in the first night of 2017’s players’ selection process while talking about fulfilling a promise he had made to his late grandmother. If we have heard his name recently, it’s because the Atlanta Falcons have talked to other teams about trading the UCLA standout according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Media.

Pelissero doesn’t mention any team that has talked to the Falcons, so the Jaguars may or may not be one of the squads that have inquired about McKenley. If they aren’t, they should explore the possibility of acquiring it as he could provide a spark to a defensive line that has generated a paltry five sacks. Although the four-year defensive end has just one sack this season, a change of scenery could reinvigorate his career.

McKinley has recorded 17.5 in his NFL career and hasn’t had more than seven in a single season. That kind of production doesn’t sound appealing, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t talented. It just means that he’s not performed up to expectations the Falcons had when they drafted him with the 26th overall pick in 2017.

Back in his last season with the Bruins, McKinley showed he could generate pressure upfront and registered 10 quarterback takedowns, 18 tackles for loss, and even six pass deflections. While it could be foolish to expect that kind of production, the ‘Jags’ could use him in their defensive line rotation. Moreover, he will become a free agent after this season, so if he isn’t a fit with the team, they could just part ways with him without much trouble.