Xavier McKinney knows he has doubters.
The good ones, they always know.
The Giants selected the Alabama safety with the 36th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The pick has drawn high praise from experts and there’s a feeling it might be the steal of the draft.
That’s because it was a shock McKinney slid that far down to No. 36.
The Giants had a deal in place to trade back and pursue alternative options. But McKinney’s name was still on the board, and if the experts are right, the Giants could have a core piece to their foundation.
“Xavier McKinney has Pro Bowl potential,” ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. wrote after the draft. “There were teams looking at him in the 20’s, but he lasted until the second round. He’s a good fit next to Jabrill Peppers.”
McKinney, in 41 games for Alabama, made 28 starts. He recorded 176 tackles, six sacks, five forced fumbles, and five interceptions. His 20 pass breakups are a strong indication of how good his field awareness.
He was the first safety off the board. He somehow managed to make it to the Giants in the second round. Their eyes probably lit up when it became clear McKinney was still available.
“We had made up our mind that if Xavier fell to us, we were taking him,” Giants general manager Dave Gettleman said.
When opportunity knocks…
There was an opportunity in the second round for Gettleman to trade back and secure additional draft picks.
But when Gettleman locks in on a player, it would take Hercules to move him off that hill. And history has shown us as much with his first two drafts as Giants’ general manager with Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones, respectively.
History repeated itself this year when offensive tackle Andrew Thomas was available at No. 4. And again, in the second round, with McKinney.
Last season, the defense struggled to cover tight ends and running backs out of the backfield. This has been a long-term weakness, specifically at the linebacker position.
But, to be sitting at No. 36 and have McKinney, the best safety in the draft, fall in your lap? That’s a no-brainer for the Giants.
Before drafting Thomas, many (myself included) had the Giants taking linebacker Isaiah Simmons. His skill set has everything their defense has been missing. The Arizona Cardinals selected Simmons with the No. 8 overall pick.
The defense has youth but is short on playmakers. McKinney’s cover skills and athleticism will help take pressure off the linebackers in passing situations. Best-case scenario is he helps justify Gettleman’s decision to pass on Simmons.
Charley Casserly is a former general manager for the Houston Texans and Washington Redskins. He’s a veteran executive that knows his way around a draft room. Since joining network television, as an analyst, Casserly has never been one to hold his tongue on hot takes.
“I interviewed 12 teams from the end of the season to before the Draft. They all had him as their top safety. He was my top safety, I gave him a first-round grade – They got him in the second!”, said Casserly, speaking on the NFL Network.
Casserly feels McKinney is the best pick in the draft.
“He’s got range, got instincts, he can get to the ball. He’s a physical tackler, he’ll come down in the box and tackle. And you’ll see him run with tight ends. I saw him in press coverage,” said Casserly. “4.63 he ran – So what? I think he’s faster, but it’s all about instincts when you play safety.”
McKinney has the talent to elevate the team’s secondary, especially with a healthy Peppers next to him. Last season, Peppers led the Giants in tackles and forced fumbles in the first 11 games before suffering a transverse process fracture in his back.
The Giants are rebuilding their defense with versatility, athleticism, and high football IQ. Xavier McKinney fits the profile for exactly what they want.
The experts seem to feel the same, and if this keeps up, anyone sleeping on Xavier McKinney are about to get a wakeup call.
