One breakout candidate for each NFL team in 2018

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TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 18: Defensive end Takkarist McKinley #98 of the Atlanta Falcons wraps up quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to cause a fumble in the second quarter on December 18, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

team. 44. . Edge. . Takkarist McKinley.

One of the more interesting prospects heading into the 2017 NFL Draft was Takkarist McKinley, a stud defensive end from UCLA. McKinley worked out at the NFL Scouting Combine as a linebacker, but after having surgery after the combine, some teams shied away from him early in the draft.

However, the Falcons came calling towards the end of the first round, and he actually had a solid first season for Atlanta last year. McKinley shook off the shoulder injury to appear in all 16 games for the Falcons, helping them reach the playoffs once again, though they missed out on their ultimate goal of avenging their devastating loss in the Super Bowl the year before.

Still, McKinley got great experience, and is a guy who should be even better in year two. The Falcons already have an elite pass rusher in Vic Beasley, and if McKinley can win the other starting job over Brooks Reed, he should have an opportunity to possibly double his sack total from a year ago, which was six.

McKinley has an incredible nose for the ball, and was responsible for forcing two fumbles last season, despite not starting a single game. He was a raw talent coming out of UCLA, and this is going to be a huge summer for him, because he does have that kind of talent that can cause fits in the backfield.

If he wins the starting job, you can believe that he is going to be a double-digit sack guy, giving the Falcons two elite pass rushers.