Eagles can sign any of these possible free agents to replace Derek Barnett

Takkarist McKinley is one of those gambles that might pay off… maybe.

This one falls under the category of gambling and is the textbook definition of low-risk, high reward. Some of you are probably thinking to yourselves that all this does is trade one troubled star for another. Hear us out though.

As you all are very well aware, Derek Barnett was the 14th-overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft. What some of you may not have known or might have forgotten is Takkarist McKinley was taken by the Atlanta Falcons in that same selection meeting 12 spots later at 26.

We’re well into their fifth season as professional football players. Derek Barnett has more career sacks than McKinley (21.5 compared to 19). He also has more career tackles (138 to 95). There are also a few other things that we’ve seen that are concerning.

Remember when McKinley publicly asked for a trade from the Atlanta Falcons and got himself released shortly thereafter? Yeah, that didn’t look good. Neither did that time when he was claimed off of waivers by the Las Vegas Raiders after failing physicals with the Cincinnati Bengals and the San Francisco 49ers.

We all know how that stint in Vegas went. McKinley was placed on the Raiders’ injured reserve in November of last year, designated by the team to return in December, and was shut down for the remainder of the season without ever playing a game.

Everyone needs a second chance though, or in this case, five. McKinley signed a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns in March and seems to have figured things out. Sure, he’s a gamble and possibly the last guy the Eagles need, but on a one-year prove-it deal that doesn’t cost the team a ton, this could give Philly some punch AND still allow them the financial freedom to sign someone else at the position that’s inexpensive like Stephen Weatherly or Charles Harris.