5. S Xavier Mckinney – Alabama
ESPN’s highest-rated available player left on the board (17th), Xavier Mckinney is an excellent safety that is a versatile as any safety in this class. By the way, sensing a theme here with the safties? Clearly, the NFL isn’t valuing safties right now, which is weird considering they are having a larger impact on the game now than ever.
Even though he’s rated higher by mostly ever expert than Delpit and Winfield Jr., he’d still be my third-choice only because he’s not a true single-high center fielder. Can he play there in spots? Sure. But, he’s more of a mix-it-up safety in the Jabrill Peppers mold, although his coverage skills are far superior.
The junior safety had a loaded 2019 stat sheet with 59 tackles, 4 forced fumbles, 3 picks, and 5 passes defended. He truly can do it all, and a safety duo of Peppers and Mckinney sure would be enticing.
Again, this would allow Love to slide back to nickel, in essence plugging another hole, while n all reality, these three could all flow between those three positions. This would be a very solid pick for the NY Giants.
GMENHQ Grade: 1st RD: B-
Team need: 6/10 (-1 for not being a ‘true’ FS’)
Chance he falls to #36: 60%