The New York Giants, led by general manager Dave Gettleman and head coach Joe Judge, scored big in the 2020 NFL Draft, landing quality talent from Round 1 straight through Round 7 — talent that will help the team for years to come.
Some of that talent includes second-round safety Xavier McKinney, who shockingly dropped to the Giants at No. 36 overall.
In fact, had McKinney not slid to the fourth overall pick in Round 2, the Giants had a deal in place to trade down, where they likely would have targeted another safety or, potentially, another offensive lineman.
Instead, they got McKinney, who Pro Football Focus recently listed as one of the biggest steals of the entire draft.
PICK 36 — S XAVIER MCKINNEY, NEW YORK GIANTS
PFF Big Board rank: 19
When you heard the word “versatile” all throughout this draft process, Isaiah Simmons was the first name to come to mind. But another should have, too: Xavier McKinney. There have been only five safeties to play over 450 snaps in the box, slot and at free safety over the past two years, and only one of those five produced 70.0-plus grades at all three of those alignments — Xavier McKinney. Whether he was playing in coverage, rushing the passer or trying to stop the run, McKinney performed at a high level and produced grades above 79.0 in all facets in each of the last two years.
McKinney is as much of a Swiss Army Knife as Isaiah Simmons, and can play in all of the same schemes and at all of the same positions. And while we’re not suggesting McKinney is a more talented prospect than Simmons, it’s clear they share a similar skill set. Plus, the Giants got a substantially greater value for McKinney at No. 36 than they would have in Simmons at No. 4.
It’s likely McKinney comes in and starts at safety alongside Jabrill Peppers, but do not be surprised to see defensive coordinator Patrick Graham use him in a multitude of ways from the get-go.
[lawrence-related id=646207,646165,646136]