Former Atlanta Falcons defensive end Takkarist McKinley (98) celebrates his sack of Carolina Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen (7) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Former first-round bust Takkarist McKinley signing one-year deal with Browns

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 3/16/21

The Cleveland Browns took an additional step to bolster their defense on Tuesday.

ESPN's Jake Trotter reports that former Atlanta Falcons and Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Takkarist McKinley has agreed to a one-year deal to join the Browns.

Adam Schefter of ESPN has since elaborated.

Comp update: Takk McKinley done with Cleveland, 1-yr $4.25M base value and up to $6M. Signed to play opposite Myles Garrett. https://t.co/LIalf34GPs
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2021

It's the latest development in the saga of the 2017 first-round draft pick who recorded 13 sacks across his first two seasons but then underwhelmed so much that the Falcons declined the fifth-year option attached to his contract. The 25-year-old then appeared in only four games last season, landed in the doghouse of interim coach Raheem Morris, earned his release from the Falcons, and then found a home with the Raiders but never debuted for the club because of a lingering groin injury.

This agreement is a win-win for both parties. McKinley receives an opportunity to relaunch his NFL career as part of a pass rush that includes All-Pro Myles Garrett, while a Browns team with salary-cap space to burn is making a minimal investment in a project the club can part ways with at any point over the next 10 months.

On Monday, reports surfaced that former Los Angeles Rams safety John Johnson has agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $33.75 million with the Browns.

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