Cowboys Release Takkarist McKinley
Friday, the Dallas Cowboys announced they were releasing edge rusher Takkarist McKinley. McKinley is trying to find a team after suffering a torn Achilles' when he was a member of the Cleveland Browns in 2021.
One of the better ideas former Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods had was finding a speedy pass rusher that can put pressure on mobile quarterbacks. In a division with Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens and Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals, having multiple options with effective closing speed was logical priority.
In 2021, the Browns defense was the best it had ever performed under Woods in spite of some serious holes. McKinley played in 11 games, produced 25 pressures according to PFF, generating 2.5 sacks.
Now under Jim Schwartz, the Browns have carried over that thought process of having enough speed to attack the best mobile quarterbacks in the league. In addition to Myles Garrett, they signed Ogbonnia Okoronkwo who has excellent agility and the ability to attack up field in free agency.
If McKinley finds his way back to being 100 percent, regaining the explosion he showed in 2021, he fits the profile of a pass rushing role the Browns could use. Unfortunately for him, there's not a high likelihood the Browns could take a look at the possibility of bringing him back. Undrafted free agent Lonnie Phelps does so many of the same things McKinley does, but he's younger and cheaper. Plus, he's already on the roster.
McKinley is a player who offered elite explosion, excellent speed and would mix up between trying to run the arc or using a bull rush, attempting to use leverage to displace the blocker on his way to the quarterback. That's precisely how Phelps operates with less agility, but more roster value. Phelps is someone who has experience on special teams, which would be critical in his making the final roster.
McKinley should be able to find his way to another team as there are always teams in need of pass rush help, but it probably won't be with the Browns. The most important element is simply being fully healthy to give himself the best chance to earn a roster spot.
