There weren’t many bright spots for the New York Giants during their 6-11 2023 regular season campaign. However, one player who stood out was starting safety, Xavier McKinney. A second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Alabama, McKinney had a breakout year in 2023.
The most important thing for a player to break out is being able to stay on the field. After dealing with numerous injuries earlier in his career, McKinney accomplished that feat in 2023. He, along with teammate Bobby Okereke, were the only two defensive players to be on the field for 100 percent of their teams defensive snaps this season.
When out there, McKinney was extremely productive. A lot was asked of him in Wink Martindale’s defense as a versatile safety and he answered the call. Whatever the Giants needed him to do, he did it and succeeded.
NFL News & Rumors: Xavier McKinney & New York Giants Updates
As the last line of defense, he needs to be a sure tackler to limit big plays. He had a career-high 116 total tackles and earned a tackling grade of 89.1 from PFF. That contributed to a very solid overall grade for McKinney of 87.8, which was fourth among 99 safeties who qualified.
Where he truly shined was in pass coverage. His 91.2 coverage grade was first among safeties in the NFL as he proved to be a big-time playmaker in that regard. McKinney finished the season with three interceptions, 11 passes defended, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
When he was targeted by opposing offenses, they found little success. McKinney surrendered a passer rating of only 53 when targeted, as he was a one-man wrecking crew in the secondary for the Giants.
Entering free agency, McKinney has set himself up for quite a payday. He has cemented his status as one of the better young safeties in the NFL, capable of succeeding in a centerfield role, as a coverage man or as a run defender.
While safety isn’t considered a premium position around the league, the Giants are going to have to pony up a good amount of money if they want to keep McKinney. According to Spotrac, McKinney has a market value just under $10.5 million in annual salary. They have predicted he will sign a five-year, $52,400,090.
NFL News & Rumors: Xavier McKinney & New York Giants Updates
The Giants have more than a few holes on their roster that need to be filled and only so much money to spend. But, this is a similar situation the team was in back in 2019. They had a second-round safety out Alabama in Landon Collins who was turning into a star.
New York opted against retaining him and got lucky to land McKinney in the second round a year later. Will history repeat itself this time around? It will be interesting to see what general manager Joe Schoen decides to do, especially since the Giants’ defensive scheme will be changing with Wink Martindale’s bizarre resignation still unfolding.
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