Xavier McKinney | Safety | Alabama

Height | 6-1

Weight | 200

College Bio

Career Stats

Strengths

Big shocker of the day, the Alabama Crimson Tide have yet another safety that could be a top draft prospect in this year’s class.

McKinney is another safety that is often spoken of in the same breath as Grant Delpit. Both safeties will be highly coveted in this year’s class. McKinney is more of the cover safety, in fact he spent some time in the nickel corner role last season due to injury. He excels in coverage with two interceptions during his sophomore year and 10 passes defended. This year back in his more natural role, McKinney added three more picks, five passes defended and four forced fumbles.

McKinney has good reactions when playing in coverage. He can close quickly when coming downhill. He will be a solid tackler at the next level because he rarely whiffs on tackle attempts. He is very much a swiss army knife in that he does a little bit of everything. He can play coverage, blitz off the edge with success or be an extra body in the box in run defense. Well rounded and seems to do everything well.

Weaknesses

While Xavier McKinney does a lot of things well he isn’t a player you want to leave one on one in coverage too often. He can get burned by his over aggressiveness in coverage. Doesn’t have elite athleticism to play center fielder as a single high safety but does enough to get the job done.

There aren’t many things that McKinney needs to improve upon. He does need to be more refined in his tackling technique as he can come in too high at times.

Bottom Line

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.

Projection: Top 40

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