Tag: Takk McKinley

Dan Quinn says Falcons DE Dante Fowler has sprained ankle

There was some concern among Falcons fans after Fowler was seen wearing a knee brace while sitting out of Monday’s practice.

The Atlanta Falcons are counting on free-agent defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. to be a difference maker on defense this season, and the early returns from camp have been overwhelmingly positive.

However, there was some concern among Falcons fans after Fowler was seen wearing a knee brace while sitting out of Monday’s practice. According to head coach Dan Quinn, though, Fowler has a sprained ankle, per team reporter Kelsey Conway.

Quinn said Atlanta will be without RB Todd Gurley (rest), OL Alex Mack (rest) and rookie DL Marlon Davidson (knee strain) on Tuesday. Davidson sounds like he’s still a few weeks away from being able to contribute, as tweeted by ESPN’s Vaughn McClure.

Lastly, the Falcons’ other starting defensive end, Takk McKinley, will be limited today as he recovers from shoulder surgery.

Check back for more updates after the team’s Tuesday training camp practice.

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Slimmed down Takk McKinley talks Falcons’ decision to decline option

The Falcons drafted DE Takk McKinley with their 2017 first-round pick and the former UCLA star has yet to really break out in three seasons.

The Falcons drafted DE Takk McKinley with their 2017 first-round pick, but the former UCLA star has yet to really break out in three NFL seasons. Despite an impressive pressure rate, Takk’s lack of sacks is somewhat bizarre.

Last season, the team accounted for the second-lowest sack total (28) in the entire league, indicating Atlanta’s issues were bigger than any one player. After letting Vic Beasley walk in free agency, the Falcons elected not to pick up McKinley’s fifth-year option.

Head coach Dan Quinn is still high on his young pass-rusher, though, saying he expects Takk to play a big role on defense this season. Talking with reporters after Saturday’s camp practice, a slimmed-down McKinley addressed the team’s decision to decline his option, calling it a “wake-up call,” per  beat reporter William McFadden:

Here’s the video of McKinley talking about what he learned after a disappointing season, as shared by ESPN’s Vaughn McClure below:

McKinley also praised Falcons defensive end Dante Fowler Jr., saying Fowler has helped him refine his pass-rushing moves. Watch below, per McClure’s tweet:

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Dan Quinn expects Charles Harris to be a part of DE rotation

The Atlanta Falcons swapped out Vic Beasley for Dante Fowler Jr. in free agency, and traded for Dolphins defensive end Charles Harris to add depth.

The Atlanta Falcons swapped out Vic Beasley for Dante Fowler Jr. in free agency, and traded for Dolphins defensive end Charles Harris to add depth.

Meanwhile, Takkarist McKinley will be starting at the Falcons’ other defensive end spot, but is on shaky ground. The team declined his fifth-year option a few weeks ago, leaving his future beyond 2020 up in the air.

By acquiring Harris, whose fifth-year option was also declined, the Falcons should have two motivated, talented pass-rushers fighting for a contract in 2021.

Talking with local media on Tuesday morning, head coach Dan Quinn said he expects Harris to be a part of the rotation. Watch the video below, as shared D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

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Instant Analysis: Falcons add depth by trading for DE Charles Harris

The Falcons now have two former first-round picks with a lot to prove competing for the job opposite Dante Folwer.

The Atlanta Falcons added another former first-round pick to their roster on Friday morning, trading a 2021 seventh-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for defensive end Charles Harris.

Harris, like current Falcons DE Takk McKinley, was selected in 2017 and hasn’t lived up to that first-round status as of yet. In three seasons with the Dolphins, Harris has only started eight games and recorded just 3.5 sacks.

Miami’s defense requires a little more technique from its ends, which Harris just hasn’t developed. While he thrived in Missouri’s attacking-style defense, it hasn’t came together during his three seasons with the Dolphins.

So why trade for Harris?

A seventh-round pick isn’t much to give up for a player that Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff was rumored to be interested in back in 2017. Harris is only 25 years old and coming to Atlanta means he’s not likely to have his fifth-year option picked up.

Knowing that, this essentially becomes a contract year for Harris. Unless he turns things around, there won’t be much free-agent interest in him in 2021. Money can he quite the motivator, though, and sometimes a change of scenery can be just what a frustrated, struggling player needs.

Harris is considered to be a better fit in the Falcons’ attacking-style defense. The Dolphins haven’t exactly been a model of NFL consistency over the past three seasons, either.

Without the expectations that Harris had as first-round pick in Miami, he can just go out there and play. In a rotational role likely backing up McKinley, Harris is a low-risk, high-reward acquisition.

The Falcons now have two fourth-year defensive ends with a lot to prove competing for the job opposite Dante Folwer. It could potentially bring out the best in both players and if not, the team can let both walk in free agency and try again next year.

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Examining the Falcons’ 3 biggest post-draft needs

Today, we’re highlighting three positions on the Falcons’ roster which, while not short on talent, may still benefit from a veteran addition or two before training camp.

With the 2020 NFL Draft in the books, the Atlanta Falcons have successfully built a roster with elite talent on both sides of the ball.

As fans have learned over the past two seasons, though, talent doesn’t always translate to success. The presence of veteran players and locker-room leadership can be just as conducive to winning as anything else.

That’s why we’re highlighting three positions on the Falcons’ roster which, while not short on talent, may still benefit from a veteran addition or two before training camp.

Tight end

Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Hayden Hurst may very well become a viable replacement for Pro Bowl tight end Austin Hooper, but to assume the transition will be seamless would be naive. Hurst was one of three tight ends used in Baltimore’s high-powered offense in 2020. The former first-round pick has a ton of talent, but still must prove he can be a weapon at the position in Dirk Koetter’s offense.

Atlanta signed XFL standout Khari Lee, who has good upside and should provide depth. However, adding a veteran like Delanie Walker would help provide some leadership and a reliable target for Matt Ryan. For now, it’s up to Hurst to show he can be that No. 1 option at tight end.

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Falcons expecting Takk McKinley to have ‘significant’ role on defense

Quinn reiterated during a pre-draft meeting with reporters that he still thinks McKinley can get the job done and will have a “significant” role in 2020:

The Atlanta Falcons could still add an edge rusher when the 2020 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday. For now, though, it seems that head coach Dan Quinn is expecting the team to rely on fourth-year defensive end Takk McKinley to start opposite Dante Fowler next season.

As tweeted by ESPN’s Vaughn McClure below, Quinn reiterated during a pre-draft meeting with reporters that he believes McKinley can get the job done and will have a “significant” role in 2020:

Earlier this offseason, Quinn expressed similar sentiments, saying McKinley still had “so much ability and upside.” It’s a good sign that the former UCLA standout is recovering on schedule from the shoulder injury he suffered late in the year.

McKinley has felt like a potential breakout candidate for a couple of seasons, but has failed to rack up double-digit sacks despite an impressive pressure rate.

It’s safe to say he’s entering his make-or-break year in Atlanta, and if the team decides to add an edge rusher in the first three rounds, that would increase the pressure on McKinley.

Stay tuned when the 2020 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday to see which direction the Falcons go. Also, be sure to check out our galleries featuring the different prospects Atlanta has met with on offense and defense in preparation for the draft.

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The 4 Falcons under the most pressure in 2020

Every year, NFL players face tremendous pressure. Young players are expected to improve. Veterans are expected to defy age.

Every year, NFL players face tremendous pressure. Young players are expected to improve. Veterans are expected to defy age. Those making the most money are expected to avoid injury.

However, that doesn’t mean certain players don’t still face more pressure than others. After the first wave of free agency, the Atlanta Falcons‘ roster is taking shape for next season.

Let’s examine the four Falcons players that will be under the most scrutiny entering 2020.

TE Hayden Hurst

Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

Hurst is in position to take his game to the next level after a limited role in Baltimore’s offense last season. Austin Hooper may not ultimately be worth the monster contract he received from Cleveland, but he was deserving of the money based on his elite production.

Not only is Hurst a former first-round pick, Atlanta gave up a second-round pick to acquire him and he must replace one of the top five tight ends in the game. Getting traded to the Falcons may be just what Hurst needs to maximize his skill-set, but the pressure is on.

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