New York Giants: Grading every pick in the 2020 NFL Draft
Round 2, Pick 36: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
Grade: A
Dave Gettleman followed up his first-round pick with the best safety in the 2020 NFL Draft class. Alabama’s Xavier McKinney is an intelligent versatile safety who’ll bring leadership to the defense.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
Why did he slip to the second round? No one knows, but the Giants can pair him with Jabrill Peppers and Julian Love to give them a dynamic functional trio at safety.
New defensive coordinator Patrick Graham coached under Brian Flores and Bill Belichick, two coaches who love to run post-snap movement. Having defensive backs who are flexible in coverage provides the Graham the players he needs on the back-end to make his defense successful. In fact, McKinney is a lot like former Alabama safety Minkah Fitzpatrick who Graham coached for a short period of time in Miami.
Like Fitzpatrick, McKinney can play in the box thanks to his tackling and ability to dissect run plays. Additionally, he can match up against backs and tight ends thanks to his man coverage skills. He’s instinctive with a great burst and he’s able to mirror in short areas and close on the ball.
He’s not the ideal as a single-high safety, but his route recognition skills and solid range make him capable of playing it if called upon. This was a no brainer pick with big-time potential and return.