T.J. Watt is widely regarded as a game-changing edge rusher. Over a nine-year career, he has earned eight Pro Bowl selections and four first-team All-Pro honors, led the league in sacks in three seasons, and accumulated 115 sacks, 36 forced fumbles, and 354 solo tackles. He signed a three-year, $123 million extension with the Steelers in 2025, underscoring his impact as a cornerstone defender.
By contrast, McKinley’s run in Atlanta began with production but faltered over time. He posted 13 sacks over his first two seasons, then saw his production dip after a 2019 shoulder injury, followed by a trade request and a 2020 release. He appeared in 22 games after leaving the Falcons but has not played since 2024, highlighting how the pick’s outcome diverged from Watt’s hall-of-fame trajectory.
Today, Atlanta still needs a strong pass rusher, and uncertainty surrounds the edge position amid off-field questions facing James Pearce Jr. The team could target a rusher at pick 48, with names like Dani Dennis-Sutton (Penn State) and Caleb Banks (Florida) proposed as potential fits depending on draft strategy and scheme.
Looking ahead to the 2026 NFL draft, analysts suggest the Falcons could seek to address edge pressure with another high-impact addition, aiming to compensate for the missed opportunity from 2017. The possibility of adding a game-changing pass rusher remains a priority as Atlanta recalibrates its defense for the future.
In sum, the debate over Watt versus McKinley in 2017 remains a significant what-if for the Falcons, as they chart a path to improving their pass rush and reclaiming a playoff-caliber trajectory in the years ahead.
