The New York Giants were poised to trade down in Round 2 of the 2020 NFL Draft, but then Alabama safety Xavier McKinney unexpectedly fell into their laps.
With a need at the position, general manager Dave Gettleman was quick to back off the trade talk and submit McKinney’s name to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Here is what the prominent draft analysts and experts said about Thomas before the draft:
Dane Brugler, The Athletic (draft guide)
A two-year starter at Alabama, McKinney played free safety in Nick Saban’s 3-4 base scheme, lining up two-high, single-high and dropping into the box in nickel/dime situations. He had a wide array of responsibilities in the secondary and created 10 turnover-worthy plays (five interceptions, five forced fumbles) the last two years. McKinney is explosive downhill and a reliable open-field tackler, finding his center and dropping ball carriers. He does a nice job in coverage vs. backs and tight ends with solid ball skills, although he doesn’t always play to his athletic profile when matched up with receivers. Overall, McKinney is an instinctive, full-speedahead defender with the functional range and diagnose skills to put himself in position to make plays, projecting as an interchangeable safety who should start from Day 1.
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
Ascending safety prospect offering a combination of plus athleticism, field awareness and versatility. McKinney split time equally at slot, free safety and in the box and is accomplished in each. His coverage instincts, athleticism and quick-twitch burst are more cornerback than safety, which is why he’s likely to be a coveted toy for teams looking to upgrade and diversify their sub-packages. He can sit in center field all day if needed, and he’s an adequate open-field tackler but has room for improvement in that area. McKinney represents the new breed of versatile, matchup safety with high upside as an early starter.
Patrick Conn, Draft Wire
Xavier McKinney is a top two safety in this class with his ability to play all over the defense. Some have referred to him as a poor man’s Minkah Fitzpatrick. Maybe it is the crimson jersey that he wears on Saturdays, but definitely see that in his game.
Josh Norris, Rotoworld
Nick Saban clearly trusted McKinney to be the chess piece (queen?) of his defense, moving in every direction and attacking the ball from each angle. Slot, to deep to box safety and reliable in all three. He’s unafraid to make plays on the ball in coverage and will gladly fill in run support. In some ways a discount, lighter Isaiah Simmons, as they were asked to operate in many of the same areas of the field. The concern is he’s not close to the athlete Simmons is, so will his profile hold up in the same way in the NFL?
Kyle Crabbs, The Draft Network
Xavier McKinney can be a game changing defender for an NFL defense. With plus tackling skills in space, strong football IQ and a knack for hunting the football in all phases, McKinney projects as a difference maker and explosive play creator. McKinney’s versatility should keep him on the field at all times and he’s shown ability to thrive as a deep third or half safety, in the nickel, blitzing as a pressure player, keying the run and more. Do it all defender and plug/play starter.
Eric Eager, Pro Football Focus
McKinney has been one of college football’s best safeties over the last two years, producing a two-year overall grade that is among the five best in the FBS. He’s played in the box, in the slot and at deep safety close to the same amount and while he was good in the box and in the slot, McKinney was at his peak playing free safety. At that alignment, McKinney produced an elite two-year coverage grade and was responsible for only two first downs on his 246 coverage snaps while intercepting four and forcing one incompletion. He’s an absolute ballhawk in coverage and has shown to bring value as a blitzer too with 21 pressures in his 71 pass-rush snaps since 2018.
While splash plays at safety catch people’s eye, guys that consistently execute their role at a high level can be more difficult to spot over a small sample size. That’s one of the biggest advantages of PFF grades is identifying the guys who, like McKinney, fit the bill of the latter. Whether it’s his work in run support, underneath zone coverage, as a blitzer, or as a deep safety, McKinney did it all extremely well over the past two seasons. For only a true junior, McKinney has a feel for the game that’s rare for a player his age.
