Jaguars seen as potential landing spot for EDGE Takkarist McKinley

The Jacksonville Jaguars must acquire an impact pass rusher opposite outside linebacker Josh Allen this offseason. But they also need to add depth to their front seven, and if they want to do it in free agency, they could target Cleveland Browns edge rusher Takkarist McKinley.

Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently drew up a list of NFL free agents who could blow up on new teams this year and sees the Jags and the Detroit Lions as potential landing spots for McKinley this offseason. Knox points out that the former UCLA Bruin is coming off a torn Achilles and might not be able to contribute right out of the gate. However, he thinks that a club that is willing to see him as a long-term investment could end up with a future star.

Knox notes that McKinley showed promise in his first two NFL campaigns but got lost in the Atlanta Falcons’ defensive line rotation in 2019 and was waived the following year. He signed a one-year, $4 million year with the Browns last season. He went on to play 43 percent of their defensive snaps and posted 2.5 sacks and 14 quarterback pressures. Here’s more on McKinley.

"The key for McKinley will be to get healthy and find a team that can give him a significant role. Rebuilding clubs that struggled with sacks in 2021—such as the Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars—are ideal candidates to take a flier."

Should the Jacksonville Jaguars sign Takkarist McKinley in free agency?

Calling McKinley a future star may be a bit of a reach. While he’s shown flashes and has been productive at times, you will be hard-pressed to find someone who believes he will become one of the league’s top pass rushers. He could very well become one but his career isn’t trending in that direction right now. Before anything else, he needs to rebound from the torn Achilles and once he’s healthy, he will have to work his way up whatever roster he joins this offseason.

Edge rusher Jihad Ward is slated to be a free agent this offseason. The 2016 second-round pick signed with the jags last year and was an important part of their defensive line rotation. He appeared in 41 percent of the defensive snaps and logged two sacks, 32 total tackles, and 12 pressures. If Jacksonville can’t re-sign him, they could then turn their attention to McKinley but they need to take into account that he may not be able to play early in the 2022 season.

That’s the thing. If McKinley were healthy, he might have a somewhat big market for his services. After all, all teams could use some pass rush help but he will spend the offseason recovering from the Achilles injury. In fact, don’t be surprised if he goes unsigned in free agency and joins a club on a one-year deal near the start of the 2022 season. At this point, it doesn’t make much sense for the Jags to sign him having the long-term future in mind. Availability is the best ability in the NFL and if he can contribute right away, Jacksonville should wait until he can to kick the tires on him.

If McKinley were a premiere pass rusher, he might be worth signing, even if the Jaguars needed to wait for him to be healthy. But he’s not, so this should be a hard pass for them, at least right now.