Ranking the Atlanta Falcons top 5 players under 25

Takkarist Mckinley

The immediate impact that Takkarist Mckinley displayed during his rookie year was a delightful surprise to Falcons faithful. And he will definitely be the next break out star for this team moving forward. That is if he remains healthy. And that’s a big if seeing as how Mckinley has now had surgeries both shoulders the last two years — the right following his 2016 season at UCLA and the left following his 2017 rookie season with the Falcons. He showed a tremendous ability of not allowing offensive tackles to take plays off to catch their breath. His ability flashed with always charging towards the ball, as well as showing an uncanny burst to the sideline enabling him to contain plays made toward the outside the outside.

McKinley played limited snaps, but was still able to total six sacks, 10 quarterback hits, and two forced fumbles. And just in case you’re keeping tabs, that’s one less sack than the number one overall pick Jabrill Peppers had last year. He should receive much more plays as he continues to refine his technique as a possible starter moving forward. The Falcons believe he is capable of earning a starting job if he can show upward progress in his second year.