Former 2017 first-round pick Takk McKinley back in NFL with Titans
It's been a long, strange road for 2017 first-round draft pick Takk McKinley.
The 26-year-old defensive end signed with the Tennessee Titans' practice squad Friday, landing on his sixth team in a matter of five seasons.
The former UCLA pass rusher started out his career with the Atlanta Falcons in bombastic fashion, carrying a photo of his deceased grandmother onstage during his NFL Draft selection. It's become one of the most emotional responses from a drafted player in the past half decade.
Though, injuries and inconsistency derailed McKinley's tenure as a Falcon, with the former first rounder eventually requesting a trade from the team publically in fall 2020. He bounced around on the waiver wire from Cincinnati to San Francisco to Las Vegas to close the 2020 season. For his official fresh start, he signed with the Cleveland Browns in spring 2021.
In Cleveland, McKinley played in 11 games and amassed 2.5 sacks, 18 tackles and a forced fumble in a rotational role. Though, an Achilles injury ended his season early this past December.
In Tennessee, he'll work to eventually secure a spot on the 53-man roster that is need of some pass-rushing juice. Pro Bowler Harold Landry tore his ACL just before the season started, and practice squad pass rusher David Anenih just signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers 53-man roster off of Tennessee's practice squad.
Should he practice well, McKinley could be elevated on game days to the Titans roster. For now, though, the former first rounder will try to live up to the draft potential that's eluded him thus far.
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