Browns reportedly signing DE Takkarist McKinley to a 1-year, $4.25 million deal

I wouldn’t say the Browns have found their new starting defensive end opposite Myles Garrett — but rather, they got a younger replacement for Adrian Clayborn. The news I’m speaking of is the report that the Browns have agreed to terms with free agent DE Takkarist McKinley. It is a 1-year deal worth $4 million, per Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.

UPDATE: Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, it’s a 1-year, $4.25 million deal that has incentives which could bump his deal up to $6 million.

McKinley was the 26th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. He had 6 sacks as a rookie and 7 sacks in 2018, followed by 3.5 sacks in 2019. He was waived last year for tweeting about Atlanta declining trade offers for him previously, and then briefly played for the Raiders before landing on injured reserve.

If McKinley can stay healthy, he can generate some pressure as a rotational player. Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer notes that Cleveland was one of the teams who put in a waiver claim for McKinley last year.