Browns sign Takk McKinley

   The Cleveland Browns were looking to upgrade their pass rush opposite Myles Garrett and the Browns attempted to do that even if it wasn't one of the flashier players available in free agency.

The Browns signed Takk McKinley to a one-year contract, which could motivate a talented player to play up to his capabilities.

McKinley was the Atlanta Falcons first-round selection from UCLA in 2017 and finished with 16.5 sacks over his first three seasons in Atlanta before injuries and problems with management resulted in McKinley playing in only four games with one sack before the Falcons released McKinley.

Las Vegas claimed McKinley off waivers, but McKinley would not play in a game for the Raiders.

The Browns were rumored to have made a claim on McKinley, but the Raiders (and the Bengals and 49ers, who McKinley failed physicals for) were ahead of the Browns on the wire.

At 6'2 and 265 pounds, McKinley is a pure end rusher that could line up as the defensive end in a 4-3 alignment and would be a standup outside linebacker in a 3-4 package.

McKinley seems to be a good fit talent-wise and at four million for the one-year deal, the risk is relatively low for a twenty-five-year-old with plenty to prove.

I'm hoping that the Browns consider signing someone else or draft someone in the first few rounds to hedge their bet on McKinley, but I believe the cost and talent are worth the one-year flier.