When the New York Giants let Xavier McKinney walk in free agency last offseason, fans were outraged—and rightfully so. McKinney was more than a talented safety; he was a leader on and off the field, the kind of player you’d expect to be a foundational piece for years.
But Joe Schoen, sticking to his philosophy of not overpaying safeties, let McKinney sign with the Green Bay Packers without so much as a counteroffer. The Giants got nothing in return—at least, that’s how it felt at the time.
Fast forward to now, and it turns out McKinney’s departure wasn’t entirely for nothing. The Giants are projected to receive a compensatory pick for him in the 2025 NFL Draft, likely a fourth-rounder but with a chance to bump to a third. It’s not the kind of return that erases the sting of losing an All-Pro player like McKinney, but it’s something—a silver lining for an offseason move that still feels like a head-scratcher.
Nick projects Giants to get first comp pick of fourth round for McKinney, but also leaves the door open that it could bump to a third https://t.co/zcpqAxdQaw
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) January 21, 2025
Schoen now has an opportunity to right his wrong. The comp pick is a chance to salvage value from a misstep that contributed to the Giants’ disastrous 3-14 season. And with the roster in need of a major overhaul, every draft pick counts. This isn’t just about making up for McKinney; it’s about showing that Schoen can learn from his mistakes and use the draft to turn this team around.
Brandon Brown’s favorite could be part of the solution
It’s worth noting that McKinney’s exit highlighted a broader trend under Schoen: the unwillingness to invest in safeties. Jason Pinnock could be next out the door, which raises the question—how does Schoen plan to replace them?
Rookie Tyler Nubin, drafted last year, has shown promise and could be a key part of the solution.
Interestingly, Nubin was a favorite of assistant GM Brandon Brown, who praised the pick during the draft process. “I feel like I got one of my favorite foods on discount,” Brown said after the Giants snagged Nubin in the second round. “He can become an alpha of alphas.”
If Schoen can nail the compensatory pick from McKinney’s departure the way Schoen and Brown did with Nubin, the Giants might finally see some payoff from these controversial moves.
But that’s a big “if.”
Ultimately, McKinney’s departure still feels like a loss. The comp pick, while helpful, doesn’t fully replace what he brought to the team. But it does give Schoen a second chance to turn this situation into something positive.
If he can find a player who has even half the impact McKinney had—or someone who complements rising stars like Nubin—Giants fans might finally have a reason to believe in Schoen’s long-term plan. For now, though, it’s all about what he does next. Let’s see if he gets it right this time.