Packers Xavier McKinney Ranked Highly Among Safeties

One of the splashes the Green Bay Packers made this offseason was signing safety Xavier McKinney. A second-round pick of the New York Giants in 2020, he cashed in this offseason after an excellent 2023 campaign.

Xavier McKinney did everything the Giants needed last season. Whatever was asked of him by defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, he got the job done. He lined up all over the field, registering snaps at both safety spots, outside corner, slot corner and even as an edge rusher.

An elite coverage corner, the Packers passing defense should be greatly improved with the Alabama product as part of it. He isn’t afraid to mix it up in the run game, either.

Most importantly, Xavier McKinney is always available. Injuries have been a thorn in the side of the Packers in recent seasons in the secondary. He should be able to help turn that around, as he played every defensive snap for Big Blue in 2023.

When compared to his peers at safety, where does Xavier McKinney rank? In the opinion of Zoltan Buday of PFF, he ranks highly. McKinney came in at No. 8 in his safety power rankings heading into the 2024 season.

“McKinney had a breakout 2023 season, recording a career-high 87.5 PFF overall grade that ranked fourth among safeties. And it came in a contract year. He subsequently cashed in with the Packers on a four-year, $67 million deal.

The former New York Giant played a full season for just the second time in his four years in the NFL, and he made the most of it, ranking first among safeties in PFF coverage grade (91.2). McKinney allowed a 52.3 passer rating in coverage, tied for the fourth-lowest mark at the position, and he was the most targeted safety to not allow a touchdown all season,” Buday wrote.

The questions people have about the Packers at cornerback can be somewhat addressed with their safety upgrades. Led by McKinney, Jeff Hafley has a talented, versatile group of safeties that will be able to help in pass coverage.

Who starts alongside Xavier McKinney will be determined in training camp. The leader in the clubhouse seems to be second-round pick Javon Bullard, who is reportedly a perfect complement in the defensive backfield.

Expect Hafley to mix and match depending on matchups. But, Xavier McKinney is someone that will be on the field regardless of the opposition, leading the secondary and filling in the gaps wherever the Packers need.

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