GMEN HQ
FanSided

NY Giants: Evaluating impact of rookie class | Grades

By Danny Friedman

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Saquon Barkley of Penn State poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #2 overall by the New York Giants during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Saquon Barkley of Penn State poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #2 overall by the New York Giants during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 13
Next
Xavier McKinney #29 of the New York Giants  (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Xavier McKinney #29 of the New York Giants  (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Round 2, #36 Overall: DB Xavier McKinney, Alabama

It took a while, but Xavier McKinney gave NY Giants fans some excitement and big plays as many hoped for.

McKinney’s rookie season got off to a bad start as a fractured foot in training camp put his rookie season on pause. McKinney got hurt right before the season started and was expected to have a significant and versatile starting role. Instead, he was placed on injured reserve and his first NFL season was cast into doubt.

Xavier rehabbed and recovered well, and he returned to the field to make his NFL debut in Week 12 in Cincinnati. McKinney sparingly some snaps on defense at all his first two games but did a good job on special teams and proved to the coaching staff he was ready for the larger role he anticipated heading into Week One.

McKinney saw 64% or more of the team’s snaps on defense over the last three weeks and he showed his unique skillset with being deployed all over the field and showing off his range covering deep halves, playing Cover 1 deep as the single-high safety, and moving down into the box and playing closer to the line of scrimmage.

In his last two games, McKinney racked up 16 tackles with two eight-tackle performances in a row. In his last game, McKinney truly shined and made his impact felt all over the field and showcased why he should have been a 1st round pick. McKinney had eight tackles with one for a loss, one pass deflection, one really impressive interception that was overturned by a penalty, and he had the game-clinching interception in his endzone to eliminate the Cowboys from the playoffs.

Rookie Year Grade: B-

2021 Role and Beyond:

Xavier McKinney will enter 2021 as one of the team’s most important and potent defenders. Pat Graham will have another full offseason to evaluate him and figure out creative ways to integrate him into the defense.

McKinney will be part of the Giants’ trio of safeties along with Jabrill Peppers and Logan Ryan. All three players are smart, tough, and versatile players who can line up all over the field and cause serious headaches for opposing quarterbacks. McKinney is one of the team’s brightest young players and will be a prime breakout player to watch in 2021.

Home/NY Giants News