LA Rams should tryout former Falcon Edge Takk McKinley

The LA Rams should invite former Falcon Edge rusher Takk McKinley in for a tryout

The last place you would think the LA Rams should monitor for defensive players to help the team for their playoff run is the Atlanta Falcons’ waive wire. But sometimes the greatest treasure can be found in the least likely location.  After the season the Falcons have endured, they certainly qualify as ‘least likely’ to hold a defensive diamond-in-the-rough.

And yet, the team just announced that they waived Takk McKinley. he plays edge rusher for the Falcons, and prior to this season, has played the role very well.  Now, he’s out of a job.

Curiously enough, he plays for a position of need for the Rams. In fact, it is such a strong need for the team that we just admonished the Rams for failing to bolster their edge rushers at the NFL trade deadline.  Now the team has a second chance to address the roster.

Fool us twice, shame on me

The LA Rams can use a player like Takkarist McKinley. In many ways, he is very similar to Dante Fowler Jr. before the Rams traded for him in 2018. He showed tremendous promise his first two seasons in the NFL, recording six and then seven quarterback sacks. But his production dropped dramatically, falling to just 3.5 sacks in 2019, and just one so far in 2020.

As we discussed in a recent article, the LA Rams are fighting sub-par production and shallow depth at their outside linebacker position.  While I am not claiming that Takk McKinley is the keystone to a magical season, he plays with incredible passion and is the type of player whose career would skyrocket with the chance to play on this LA Rams defense.

He is 6-foot-2 and weighs 265 pounds. He is playing in his fourth NFL season, in the last year of his rookie contract. And he likes the weather in LA.

Right now, the LA Rams need help on the edge and some options for the position in 2021. The Rams failed to make a move to add depth to pass rushers at the NFL trade deadline.  Let’s hope they do not fail this time.