Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
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The 6-foot, 201-pound safety was two-year starter at Alabama he played a varitey of different positions in Nick Sabans 3-4 defense including both safety positions, nickle corner, and even some linebacker. He is an reliable tackler who is quick to come downhill and fill alleys in run support. Mckinney is good blitzer who attacks the pocket with speed and has a knack for making plays.
He is a plus athlete who does a good job matching up in coverage vs. backs and tight ends. Mckinney can play both safety spots and is a well rounded player that does alot of things well. He is in play to be drafted with the No. 17 pick, but could be available in Round 2 and could potentially be a step in starter. McKinney finished his junior year with 95 tackles, three interceptions, three sacks, one touchdown, five passes defended, one fumble recovery, and four fumble recoveries.
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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.
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.
In pass coverage, McKinney is a do-it-all safety who it tailor made for today’s NFL. He can do anything and everything that pro teams ask of their safeties. McKinney has the man-coverage skills to play cornerback against slot receivers and also play man-to-man on receiving tight ends. With his speed, athleticism and instincts, McKinney does a superb job of running with them and preventing separation.
In the ground game, McKinney is tough and can tackle. While he doesn’t have a lot of size or bulk to him, he is a willing tackler and not afraid of taking on backs. McKinney has Pro Bowl potential at the next level and could end up being one of the top free safeties in the league.