Giants 2024 UFA Primer: S Xavier McKinney
Xavier McKinney, S
Height: 6 foot
Weight: 201 lbs.
Age: 24
NFL Exp.: 4 seasons
College: Alabama
The New York Giants selected safety Xavier McKinney in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft (36th overall), hoping the Crimson Tide prospect could become a special defensive secondary asset. Though his time in New York didn’t fare as smoothly as expected, McKinney grew into his talent over 2023, illustrating how complete of a safety he can be.
Over the three years he played in Alabama, McKinney finished with 175 combined tackles (108 solos), 15 passes defended, six sacks, six forced fumbles, and five interceptions. The kid could do it all. Upon being selected by the Giants, McKinney was set to take over the reins of the starting free safety role. But just before the start of the regular season in 2020, McKinney fractured his foot and missed the first ten games.
Despite the early setback, McKinney returned in Week 12 but didn’t hit the ground running until he was granted the opportunity to start the season's last four games. In six games played, McKinney finished with 25 combined tackles (14 solos), one interception, and one pass defended. With plenty still to prove, McKinney officially became the full-time starting free safety in 2021 and produced one of his best seasons.
In 17 games played (16 started), McKinney came away with a career-high five interceptions while finishing with 93 combined tackles (59 solos) and ten passes defended. McKinney’s best performance that season took place over the Giants’ Week 9 win against the Las Vegas Raiders, where he came away with seven combined tackles and two interceptions, one of which included a pick-six, the only of his career.
After coming off such a big breakout season in 2021, McKinney didn’t produce the same kind of efficiency and numbers in 2022 and, once again, sustained an injury setback when, during the Giants' bye, McKinney took a trip to Cabo and sustained a broken hand due to an ATV accident he had.
McKinney was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list shortly after, and he didn’t play in the next seven games. Though he would return in Week 17, McKinney was held out for Week 18, with the Giants opting to rest most of their starters for their Wild Card game. To close out the 2022 campaign, McKinney posted 45 combined tackles (29 solos) to go with five passes defended, a sack, a forced fumble, and 0 interceptions in nine games started.
2023 Recap
Playing in every single defensive snap (1,128) and starting in 17 games, McKinney produced career highs in total tackles (116) and solos (78), pass breakups (11), and fumble recoveries (2), also posting three interceptions. Aside from having just half a sack on the season, McKinney looked like the player he was in college.
McKinney was also very efficient in coverage this season. Though he conceded a career-high in receiving yards (456), McKinney allowed 63.1 percent of his 65 targets to be caught. He gave up just one touchdown the entire season, finishing with a 69.8 passer rating allowed when targeted.
McKinney is only 24 years old and is starting to settle into his physical prime. The only question moving forward with McKinney has been consistency and, more importantly, availability. If he stays healthy, year in and year out, he truly has the potential to be one of the best safety talents in this league and has proven that to some degree already.
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Why The Giants Should Re-sign Him
A big reason why the Giants opted to draft McKinney was to rebuild the Giants defensive secondary with a star talent that could anchor the unit for years to come.
After having McKinney for four seasons and seeing just how dominant he can be (showcased over 2021 and 2023), it’s not hard to realize that he is that very safety talent the Giants were hoping he could become back in 2020.
McKinney has yet to make a Pro Bowl or an All-Pro Team, but seeing how young he is, the Giants are looking at someone who could take off in a big way over the next three years and should capitalize on the opportunity to bring him back.
Why The Giants Shouldn’t Re-sign Him
Though he’s yet to become a Pro Bowl talent, McKinney hasn't been shy with opining that he's the most complete safety set to hit the free agency market and is looking to be paid accordingly.
The Giants might feel otherwise, but even if they agree, they have limited financial resources and other needs to address, such as running back Saquon Barkley and inside linebacker Isaiah Simmons. With the Giants having Dane Belton on the roster, they might feel okay letting McKinney walk away if his financial demands exceed their means.
Keep or Move On?
It would be huge if the Giants could keep McKinney, as he has proven what kind of natural talent he can be in this league. Julian Love signed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Seahawks last season. And should McKinney want something similar, the Giants should consider it.
But if it’s anything more than that--and it’ll likely be--the Giants should look to part ways. A franchise tag could be an option for McKinney, but it is not the best solution for either side.
This doesn’t leave the Giants with much else but to dump him. Whether McKinney played his last game as a Giant has yet to be determined. But with each passing day, the reality appears more likely.
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