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Grades for key members of the NY Giants defense through 5 games

By Desmond Novack

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 18: Dexter Lawrence #97 of the New York Giants in action against the Carolina Panthers during a game at MetLife Stadium on September 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 18: Dexter Lawrence #97 of the New York Giants in action against the Carolina Panthers during a game at MetLife Stadium on September 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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Oct 9, 2022; London, United Kingdom; New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) attempts to catch the ball against the Green Bay Packers in the second half during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2022; London, United Kingdom; New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) attempts to catch the ball against the Green Bay Packers in the second half during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

3. S Xavier McKinney: B+

After an extremely promising 2021 season, Giants supporters thought they had a future superstar at the safety position in Xavier McKinney. While he has had a very good start to the 2022 season, McKinney has not looked as amazing as he did last year.

Throughout the first five games, McKinney has racked up 23 combined tackles and two pass deflections. In addition to this, McKinney has only allowed five receptions on 10 targets for 69 yards and one TD.

While PFF is seemingly not a big fan of McKinney this season, giving him an overall grade of 56.9 and a coverage grade of 54.6, this does not matter, as watching the film shows that McKinney is still a force.

A big reason for McKinney’s quiet start is likely that teams are a lot more scared to target him,  knowing the ability he has in coverage. While McKinney has been very solid thus far, we have not heard his name called very often. That’s a good thing, and no one will forget his game-saving play vs. the Packers in Week 5.

With Rodgers looking to find Allen Lazard in the end zone to tie things up, McKinney flew into the backfield and swatted the pass down. That was a big-money play from a fantastic player. Martindale will be depending on McKinney the rest of the way.

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