Tag: Xavier McKinney

S Xavier McKinney provides major upgrade as a tackler to Packers defense

Xavier McKinney will be an upgrade at safety for the Packers in a variety of ways but one of the more noticeable aspects may be seen in his tackling.

The addition of Xavier McKinney at safety for the Green Bay Packers is going to provide an upgrade in a variety of ways, with improved tackling being one of the more noticeable differences.

Over his four year NFL career, McKinney has a missed tackle rate of just 6.9 percent, according to PFF. For some context, anytime a player is under 10 percent, they are fairly sound and reliable in that regard.

In 2023 specifically, McKinney made 115 of his 122 tackle attempts, missing only 5.7 percent of his opportunities. That missed tackle rate was the lowest among 61 eligible safeties.

“I think it’s just how I prepare,” said McKinney of his tackling ability. “I practice hard. When you practice hard you usually play pretty hard. I critique myself a whole bunch. I get better at the small things. I try to perfect my craft. That’s always how I’ve been.

“Obviously, like I don’t go into it like I’m not trying to miss a certain amount of tackles. I just go out there and play and see where the ball lands. That’s kinda just how it is. I’m going to try to improve that number from what it was last year because I think even that six or seven (missed tackles) is too much for a safety. We’re going to get that number down for sure.”

Of course, tackling will always be important, but with how we anticipate Jeff Hafley utilizing the safety position within his defense, it will be at a premium. More Cover-1 looks from the Packers and more five or six-man pressures on third downs will leave McKinney on an island at times, where there will be instances where he will have to bring down the ball carrier on his own.

Where McKinney lines up each week is going to be opponent and game-plan dependent, so there will be times when we see him playing close to the line of scrimmage, playing a bigger role in the run game as well.

McKinney’s willingness to tackle will also benefit his teammates as he swarms to the ball carrier to help bring the player down.

“I want a guy who can erase things,” said defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley when describing what he wants at the safety position. “We gotta eliminate explosive plays when we play this defense, so if a run hits up the middle, this guy’s gotta come out of the middle field with his hair on fire, he’s gotta be able to get a guy down. I also want him to be a guy, when a ball carrier is wrapped up, he goes and he finishes off the pile.”

Missed tackles were an issue for the Packers last season both in the run game, which led to explosive plays, and in the passing game, resulting in yards after the catch opportunities for the offense.

Tackling has never been a strong suit of Darnell Savage’s, with a career missed tackle rate of 17.4 percent. Last season, Savage had the eighth-highest missed tackle rate among all safeties. Jonathan Owens would rank 22nd.

The safety position still remains a need that the Packers have to address even with the addition of McKinney. The only other safeties on the roster currently are Anthony Johnson Jr., along with Benny Sapp and Zayne Anderson–two primary special teams players.

As GM Brian Gutekunst looks to round at that position group and presumably do so through the draft, versatility will be an emphasis for him as he searches for McKinney’s potential running mate.

PODCAST: Which path should Giants take in 2024 NFL draft?

This week on the Giants Wire Podcast, we look ahead to the 2024 NFL draft and offer our opinion while also breaking down free agency.

This week on the Giants Wire Podcast, we discuss the 2024 NFL draft and what the New York Giants might do in Round 1.

Will general manager Joe Schoen trade up? How about down? Will he stand pat and take a top-end wide receiver or hope a potential quarterback falls to him? We weigh those options and offer our take.

We also discuss the free-agent losses of running back Saquon Barkley and safety Xavier McKinney. Which was worse? And can Devin Singletary replace Barkley’s production?

Additionally, we evaluate the addition of edge rusher Brian Burns and break down what it means for the defense — specifically nose tackle Dexter Lawrence and linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux.

Those topics (and more) are discussed in the latest episode of the Giants Wire Podcast, which is hosted by Ryan O’Leary (@RyanO_Leary on X) and joined by site editor Dan Benton (@TheGiantsWire).

The Giants Wire Podcast will air every week during the regular season and occasionally throughout the offseason. You can listen below:

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Do the Giants have a glaring issue in the secondary?

Bill Barnwell believes the New York Giants have glaring and concerning issues in the secondary, especially at safety.

The New York Giants still have some holes to fill on their roster but none may be more glaring than in the secondary.

This offseason, they lost their most reliable player — safety Xavier McKinney — to the Green Bay Packers in free agency. It was the second year in a row they let a solid safety walk. Last spring, Julian Love signed on with the Seattle Seahawks.

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell believes the Giants, while they may have made some splashes in other areas, are now devoid of top talent in their secondary.

The Giants wanted to trade for edge rusher Brian Burns and pay him more than $28 million per year, which means they have to make cutbacks somewhere. For general manager Joe Schoen, those cutbacks appear to be in the secondary. New York let its two most prominent defensive backs hit the open market. McKinney immediately signed a four-year, $68 million deal with the Packers, becoming one of the few safeties in a loaded market to get paid. (Cornerback Adoree’) Jackson remains unsigned.

The Giants signed veteran safety Jalen Mills in free agency and fans are hoping they are not done adding. Mills will be joined by Jason Pinnock at safety, a duo Barnwell says is “arguably the weakest pair of starting safeties on paper.”

At cornerback, last year’s first-round pick, Deonte Banks will be one starter while Jackson’s role is up for grabs. Right now, the Giants will choose from a group that includes Tre Hawkins III and Nick McCloud. Ouch.

Barnwell points out there are still many defensive backs still on the market, including Adoree’ Jackson, and the Giants can still bolster the group with a signing or two.

“I would be surprised if they didn’t take advantage of the market and add at least one veteran safety,” writes Barnwell. “Justin Simmons, Quandre Diggs, Marcus Maye, Tashaun Gipson and Julian Blackmon are all free agents. . . Adding one of those guys on a one-year deal would bring a veteran into the defensive backs room and help a team that is otherwise set to run out a young secondary.”

Big Blue also has six selections in the 2024 NFL draft and will most likely use a pick or two on the secondary.

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Here’s what Xavier McKinney will look like in his new No. 29 Packers uniform

A mockup of what Xavier McKinney will look like in his new No. 29 Packers uniform.

Safety Xavier McKinney, who left the New York Giants to sign a four-year deal with the Green Bay Packers in free agency, is keeping his No. 29 uniform with new team. McKinney wore the No. 15 at Alabama, but 15 is retired in Green Bay for Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr. McKinney wore No. 29 during all four of his seasons in New York and will continue wearing the number in Green Bay.

Here’s a mockup of what McKinney will look like in his No. 29 Packers uniform:

McKinney was a second-round pick of the Giants in the 2020 draft. Over 49 career games, McKinney produced nine interceptions, 27 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 1.5 sacks and 279 tackles (six for loss). He joins the Packers after being graded as the No. 4 overall safety in the NFL last season. Based on fit and his tape, McKinney looks like the ideal post safety for new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley in Green Bay.

Xavier McKinney checked all the boxes for Packers as a ‘unique’ free agent opportunity

Young difference makers rarely get to free agency in the NFL. When Xavier McKinney got to the open market, the Packers pounced.

Top players under the age of 25 so rarely become available in the NFL, so when the New York Giants let ascending safety Xavier McKinney hit the open market in free agency, Brian Gutekunst and the Green Bay Packers pounced.

McKinney, 24, signed a four-year deal worth up to $68 million to go from the Giants to the safety-needy Packers earlier this month.

“I think he’s a unique player to come available,” Gutekunst said Monday from the league meetings. “He’s 24 years old, one of the top safeties in the game, a guy that can be a game-changing type player. He really fits the criteria we’re looking for in a free agent, not only as a player but as a leader back there. Extensively scouted him through college and liked him quite a bit coming out, and he’s done nothing in his time in the NFL to change that. Again, not a lot of these guys come available, so when they do, it’s important for us to go down that road and see if we can acquire them.”

Gutekunst said players with McKinney’s profile are usually only available via trade. Entering free agency, the team’s list of targets dwindled quickly with re-signings and the franchise tag, but the Giants let McKinney test the waters without restriction, opening the door for the Packers to make a big move.

“There were very few guys that fit the criteria he did that come available,” Gutekunst said. “We’re just really excited. His next three years should be the best football he plays in our mind and we’re excited about that.”

At Pro Football Focus, McKinney graded out as the No. 4 overall safety in 2023, trailing only Antoine Winfield Jr., Jessie Bates III and Jevon Holland. He earned the best overall coverage grade and second-best tackling grade while producing 26 stops, three interceptions and allowing zero touchdown passes across over 1,100 total snaps.

McKinney played all over the formation for Wink Martindale, with almost 500 snaps at free safety, a little under 400 in the box and over 150 in the slot.

A second-round pick in 2020, McKinney doesn’t turn 25 years old until August.

He is talented, ascending as a player and entering his football prime. McKinney was also a team captain for the Giants.

In desperate need of a safety to fit Jeff Hafley’s new defense, the Packers aggressively chased a unique opportunity and, as a result, landed one of the top free agents available.

Packers get mixed reviews for top free agent signings

One ESPN expert loved the Packers signing Xavier McKinney. Another couldn’t understand why the Packers swapped out Aaron Jones for Josh Jacobs.

The Green Bay Packers received mixed reviews in ESPN’s free agency breakdown from the site’s NFL experts.

General manager Brian Gutekunst made two of the biggest splashes, signing safety Xavier McKinney on a four-year, $68 million deal and running back Josh Jacobs on a four-year, $48 million deal.

One ESPN expert loved the Packers’ signing of McKinney. Another didn’t understand why the Packers swapped out Aaron Jones in favor of Jacobs.

From former NFL safety Matt Bowen picked McKinney as the best overall signing of the free agency period.

From Bowen: “As a safety with multidimensional traits, McKinney tracks the ball well and has the coverage skills to match in the slot. That’s a fit for a Green Bay defense that will be much more aggressive with its coverage and pressure tendencies under new coordinator Jeff Hafley. McKinney, 25, has nine interceptions and 14 pass breakups in his four pro seasons.”

No disagreements here. We think McKinney is a perfect fit as Jeff Hafley’s “post” safety. A detailed film breakdown of McKinney’s game can be found here.

While the Packers might have signed one of the top defensive players available at a major position of need, a decision on offense didn’t get the same glowing reviews.

Stephania Bell, ESPN’s fantasy football analyst, was critical of the Packers making a big change at running back, picking Jacobs to the Packers as her biggest head-scratching move.

From Bell: “It’s true, last season was an off year for Aaron Jones. He suffered a hamstring injury in Week 1, and it limited his availability throughout the season. But the oft-repeated mantra was that Jones was the heart of the team, a critical presence in the locker room and the key to its run game. The argument against Jones is he’s an aging running back who was going to cost too much to re-sign. Yet the Packers brought in a back on a more expensive multiyear deal (four years, $48 million) who has fewer years of play in the league but has accrued mileage at a faster rate. This is not about Jacobs’ undeniable talent, it’s about the rationale.”

Jacobs is three years younger and just one year removed from an NFL rushing title, but he actually has more career regular season touches than Jones and is also coming off a season ended by injury. The Packers, who asked Jones to take a big pay cut before releasing him, are banking on Jacobs bouncing back in a better environment in Green Bay in 2024. It’s a risk, given how important Jones was on the field and in the locker room for the Packers. But Jacobs is also a difference maker at running back when healthy, and he was a captain for the Raiders.

There are good reasons to be extremely excited about McKinney in Hafley’s defense and good reasons to be worried about losing Jones from Matt LaFleur’s offense, but no one ever truly knows how free agent decisions will play out. McKinney could get hurt or not make enough impact plays as a $17 million per year player. Jacobs could return to his 2022 form and dominate while Jones flounders in a different situation in Minnesota. A trendy Super Bowl contender entering 2024, the Packers are hoping their big free agent splashes pay off right away.

Jordan Love played ‘big factor’ in Xavier McKinney picking Packers

Xavier McKinney on Jordan Love: “I believe he’s an elite quarterback. I’ve played against him and I’ve watched him play, I think he’s really good. The sky is the limit for him.” 

New Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney said the presence of Jordan Love — and Love’s stature as one of the NFL’s best young quarterbacks — played a leading role in the former New York Giant picking Green Bay in free agency.

“Big factor,” McKinney said Friday when asked about Love’s impact on his decision. “Obviously, this is a competitive league. You need an elite quarterback to even have a chance. I believe he’s an elite quarterback. I’ve played against him and I’ve watched him play, I think he’s really good. The sky is the limit for him.”

Money was certainly a big part of the equation for McKinney. As one of the top defensive players available, he landed a four-year, $68 million deal featuring a $23 million signing bonus from the safety-needy Packers. But he’s also receiving an opportunity to play for a contending team with an ascending young player at the game’s most important position.

Including the postseason, Love produced 41 touchdowns and almost 5,000 total yards in his first season as the Packers starter. Green Bay won nine regular season games, made the playoffs, beat Dallas in the wildcard round and were minutes away from upsetting San Francisco on the road. Love was especially great down the stretch, and the Packers are now going into 2024 as one of the NFL’s up and coming teams.

“It’s going to be a hungry group, I can already tell. We’ve got a lot of young talent, and it’s going to be fun,” McKinney said.

Last season, the Giants slogged through the year with Daniel Jones, Tommy DeVito and Tyrod Taylor taking turns at quarterback. In Green Bay, McKinney is getting the stability of a player like Love, who is expected to sign a multi-year deal as the Packers new franchise quarterback at some point this offseason.

McKinney wasn’t the only free agent influenced by Love’s presence. Like McKinney, Jacobs played with three different quarterbacks last season. Jacobs sees Love’s talent and is excited about the stability at quarterback.

“To have a guy so young and playing as well as he has, and a guy that’s going to be around for a long time, it’s fun to have something stable…that’s very exciting for me,” Jacobs said. “I’m very excited to play with him.”

 

Packers S Xavier McKinney ready for do-it-all role in Jeff Hafley’s defense

Whatever the Packers need defensively, Xavier McKinney is ready to provide as he embraces the do-it-all safety role in Jeff Hafley’s defense.

During Jeff Hafley’s introductory press conference last month, the new Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator described what he desires in a post-safety, eventually admitting that he had just described the perfect football player.

While no player is “perfect,” which Xavier McKinney pointed out when meeting with a small group of reporters on Friday, perfection is something he does strive for.

“I don’t think any player’s perfect,” said McKinney, “but I will tell you that I’m striving for that. Every day I go out at practice, it’s going to be everything that I’ve got, 100 percent, and same way for the games.

“We (McKinney and Hafley) actually had dinner last night and we talked for a little minute. He seemed like a great guy and I know we’re going to have a lot of fun together, for sure. We talked about some things yesterday as far as play-wise, but I’m just looking forward to being part of the defense and seeing where I can help and try to make plays and help us to be successful and win.”

So, yes, there is no such thing as the “perfect” football player, but as Hafley described the ideal traits that a deep safety in his defense possesses, McKinney checks a lot of those boxes.

A few of those traits that Hafley mentioned included eliminating big plays. Last season, McKinney allowed only 8.7 yards per catch, and that ranked seventh among safeties.

Hafley wants someone who plays with his hair on fire in the run game, as he put it. Again, last season, McKinney ranked sixth in run defense tackles.

Tackling is always important, but reliability in that regard is a must at the safety position. McKinney’s missed tackle rate in 2023 was just 5.7 percent – the lowest among safeties – missing only seven of his 122 attempts.

“I think it’s just how I prepare,” said McKinney about his ability as a tackle. “I practice hard. When you practice hard you usually play pretty hard. I critique myself a whole bunch. I get better at the small things. I try to perfect my craft. That’s always how I’ve been.

“Obviously, like I don’t go into it like I’m not trying to miss a certain amount of tackles. I just go out there and play and see where the ball lands. That’s kinda just how it is. I’m going to try to improve that number from what it was last year because I think even that six or seven (missed tackles) is too much for a safety. We’re going to get that number down for sure.”

High ball production at the safety position was another trait Hafley that brought up. In his four-year career, McKinney has generated nine interceptions, and in the last two seasons, has forced seven pass breakups.

The last element that Hafley discussed was the communication aspect. Pre-snap, the safety plays a key role as one of the leaders of the defense in making sure everyone is on the same page and knows what their specific responsibilities are so that coverage breakdowns don’t take place.

“I think ever since high school days and even before,” said McKinney about being a leader, “I’ve always kinda been in that position to lead vocally and with my play, so I think just being here is going to elevate it a lot more.

“Having the guys and the talent around me to be able to help me and improve, but the leadership is still going to be the same. It’s going to be better than what it has already been in the past. I’m just trying to continue to keep growing and keep being a better player, a better teammate and that’s really what the goal is for me.”

Given the importance of the post-safety role in Hafley’s defense, that is where McKinney can likely provide the most value and where we will see him take the most snaps. But that certainly isn’t the only place we will see McKinney lined up.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, GM Brian Gutekunst said that he wanted the two safety spots – the post safety and the box safety – along with the slot cornerback to be interchangeable, so opposing offenses can’t get a beat on who has what responsibilities just based on the personnel.

Having McKinney on the back end provides that flexibility. He’s a very willing run defender and an extremely capable tackler, which allows McKinney to line up in the box. He also has the coverage abilities to play in the slot.

In addition to free safety, McKinney has played 725 career snaps from the box and 442 in the slot, according to PFF. Whatever the game plan calls for, that’s where McKinney will be.

“It depends on the game,” said McKinney on where he will be playing. “For me, I’m more so like whatever we need for that game, I want to go do. I try not to get too focus on one spot. I never try to box myself in, and I think that’s what gives me the ability to be able to play in different spots in the defense and in any scheme and be able to do it at a high level.

“That’s kinda how I’ve always been and it’s going to continue to improve and I’m going to continue to learn more and be better in different spots, and I know the coaches are going to help me get to where I want to be.”

McKinney is a force multiplier with his ability to impact the game in a variety of ways while also making the players around him better. Whatever is needed, McKinney will provide it because, at the end of the day, part of the reason he chose to sign with the Packers was the opportunity to win, and he knows he’s going to play a very important role in making that happen on the defensive side of the ball.

“Heart, competitiveness and playmaking ability,” said McKinney when asked how he would describe himself. “Instincts are really high. Just making the guys around me a lot better and pushing them. Just trying to put on a show, really. That’s my goal is to go out there and play as best that I can and be able to help the team and put the team in the best position to be able to win games. That’s why I’m here and that’s what I’m going to be here to do.”

Xavier McKinney thanks Giants fans after agreeing to deal with Packers

Now-former New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney took to social media to thank fans after agreeing to a deal with the Green Bay Packers.

Former New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney took to X on Tuesday and thanked Giants Nation for its loyalty to him over the past four seasons.

McKinney was not re-signed by the Giants and accepted a very generous four-year offer from the Green Bay Packers on Monday that is worth a reported $17 million per season, and $68 million in total.

That was a little rich for the Giants’ blood, even though McKinney had his best season in 2023 and played 100 percent of the defensive snaps.

“GIANTS nation! Thank you for an incredible 4 years,” McKinney wrote. “Always got a place in my heart for sure.”

The loss of McKinney leaves a gaping hole in the Giants’ secondary, a group that also needs help at the cornerback position.

New York has just three safeties on its roster at the moment — Jason Pinnock, Dane Belton and Gervarrius Owens — and will need to address backfilling McKinney’s role in the next few weeks.

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Packers nab former Giants DB Xavier McKinney to be the face of their pass defense

The Packers made a much-needed move to improve their pass defense by agreeing to terms with do-it-all DB Xavier McKinney.

The Green Bay Packers’ pass defense was kind of a disaster last season, and general manager Brian Gutekunst did what he needed to do by moving on from defensive coordinator Joe Barry and replacing him with Jeff Hafley. Now, the Packers have added a major cog to a defense that allowed 25 touchdowns to just nine interceptions last season. The team has agreed to terms with former New York Giants defensive back Xavier McKinney.

It’s a big deal, but McKinney has become a big-time player.

Selected in the second round of the 2020 draft out of Alabama, McKinney had his best season to date in 2023 as a key part of Wink Martindale’s blitz-heavy, man-heavy defense. He allowed 33 catches on 54 targets for 288 yards, 235 yards after the catch, no touchdowns, three interceptions, 11 pass-breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 52.1.

Moreover, McKinney can play anywhere in Hafley’s defense — deep third, box, slot, and even some press cornerback.