Packers Star Xavier McKinney Named to Official NFL All-Pro Team

Zach Tom, Elgton Jenkins, Keisean Nixon and Edgerrin Cooper also got votes for the official All-Pro team.
Green Bay Packers All-Pro safety Xavier McKinney
Green Bay Packers All-Pro safety Xavier McKinney / Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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GREEN BAY, Wis. – Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney was voted first-team All-Pro by The Associated Press, in voting released on Friday.

The AP team is considered the official All-Pro team.

A national panel of 50 media members votes on the team. First-place votes (in parentheses) are worth three points and second-place votes are worth one point.

McKinney was the No. 2 at safety behind Detroit’s Kerby Joseph. Joseph led the NFL with nine interceptions and McKinney was next with eight.

“We’d better not let this guy out the door,” Hafley recalled on Thursday. “I can’t say it again how much I appreciate X being here. Not just as a plyer, as a person, and even the way he practiced again today. There was one rep it looked like he was going live today, and I went over it with the iPad and I was like, ‘This is awesome. This is why you’re an All-Pro.’

“Do I remember totally the dinner? What I ate? No, I don’t. I remember sitting there meeting him and meeting Josh and just, obviously, very hopeful that they’d both join us. I do remember how mature they were, and the questions he was asking were, he was serious, This guy’s a football guy. This was all football. ‘What’s the scheme going to look like? What’s your coaching style like? How are you going to use me? Am I going to be a big part of this thing.’”

McKinney tied for the NFL lead with nine takeaways and had the most interceptions by a Packers player since 2009.

“Obviously, he’s a very talented player, but I think when you really just observe how he approaches the game – whether it’s a meeting or a jog through or whatever it might be – he is so dialed in, and I think it’s reflective in his play. He goes out there and he makes plays. But I think a big part of that is just his approach to the game.”

Zach Tom was the No. 3 right tackle, Elgton Jenkins was the No. 4 left guard, and Keisean Nixon (at cornerback and returner) and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper earned votes, as well.

Tom allowed three sacks and 24 pressures, according to PFF, and has developed into a premier run blocker.

“He means a ton to us,” LaFleur said. “Not to mention he’s battled through some adversity, obviously, having the surgery this offseason [on a torn pectoral]. To be able to bounce back and have the season he’s had is pretty impressive.

“What’s so impressive about the guy is he’s played multiple positions, and he came in as a rookie and did that, and there’s very few that can do that. So, I think he’s a very intelligent player and, obviously, very gifted. He approaches it the right way and does a great job.”

Cooper started only four games as a rookie but was a two-time NFC Defensive Player of the Week and the reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for December.

“To me, it’s all about consistency,” coach Matt LaFleur said on Thursday. “Obviously, he’s incredibly gifted, incredibly talented and everybody can see the splash plays he’s been making. It’s can you make all the routine plays when they’re there?

“That’s to be expected of most young players that there’s going to be mistakes. He’s learning a lot of football and just getting acclimated to the National Football League is not like a process that happens overnight. Obviously, he missed a lot of time not only in the preseason, but he’s missed time this season. I just think the more he plays, the better he’s going to get and the more big plays he’ll be able to make.”

Offense

Quarterbacks

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore, 109 (30); Josh Allen, Buffalo 78 (18); Joe Burrow, Cincinnati 13 (2).

Running Backs

Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia, 146 (48);  Derrick Henry, Baltimore 52 (2); Jahmyr Gibbs 2.

Fullbacks

Patrick Ricard, Baltimore, 99 (27); Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco, 88 (22); Michael Burton, Denver, 6; C.J. Ham, Minnesota, 5 (1); Alec Ingold, Miami, 1, Hunter Luepke, Dallas, 1.

Tight Ends

Brock Bowers, Las Vegas, 101 (27); George Kittle, San Francisco, 88 (22); Trey McBride, Arizona, 5; Mark Andrews, Baltimore, 4 (1); Travis Kelce, Kansas City, 2.

Wide Receivers

Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati, 150 (50); Justin Jefferson, Minnesota, 150 (50); Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit, 130 (40); Terry McLaurin, Washington, 41 (2); CeeDee Lamb, Dallas, 37 (3); A.J. Brown, Philadelphia, 24 (4); Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville, 22; Malik Nabers, New York Giants, 12; Mike Evans, Tampa Bay, 10; Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams, 9 (1); Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland, 5; Drake London, Atlanta, 4; Zay Flowers, Baltimore, 2; Tee Higgins, Cincinnati, 1; Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle, 1; Courtland Sutton, Denver, 1; Jameson Williams, Detroit, 1.

Left Tackles

Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay, 98 (28); Jordan Mailata, Philadelphia, 46 (13); Dion Dawkins, Buffalo, 26 (5); Rashawn Slater, Los Angeles Chargers, 13 (3); Garett Bolles, Denver, 9; Laremy Tunsil, Houston, 7 (1); Trent Williams, San Francisco, 1.

Left Guards

Joe Thuney, Kansas City, 129 (41); Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis, 43 (8); Landon Dickerson, Philadelphia, 18 (1); Elgton Jenkins, Green Bay, 10.

Centers

Creed Humphrey, Kansas City, 137 (44); Frank Ragnow, Detroit, 35 (4); Tyler Linderbaum, Baltimore, 18 (1); Cam Jurgens, Philadelphia, 7 (1); Graham Barton, Tampa Bay, 1; Tyler Biadasz, Washington, 1; Zach Frazier, Pittsburgh, 1.

Right Guards

Quinn Meinerz, Denver, 74 (22); Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta, 60 (15); Trey Smith, Kansas City, 29 (5); Kevin Zeitler, Detroit, 26 (6); Sam Cosmi, Washington, 6 (1); Daniel Faalele, Baltimore, 3 (1); Mekhi Becton, Philadelphia, 1; Kevin Dotson, Los Angeles Rams, 1.

Right Tackles

Penei Sewell, Detroit, 119 (35); Lane Johnson, Philadelphia, 76 (15); Zach Tom, Green Bay, 3; Brian O’Neill, Minnesota, 2.

Defense

Edge Rushers

Myles Garrett, Cleveland, 140 (45); Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati, 118 (35); T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh, 63 (14); Nik Bonitto, Denver, 18 (2); Andrew Van Ginkel, Minnesota, 18 (2), Micah Parsons, Dallas, 15 (1); Jonathan Greenard, Minnesota, 13 (1); Danielle Hunter, Houston, 12; Will Anderson, Houston, 1; Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit, 1; Kyle Van Noy, Baltimore, 1.

Interior Linemen

Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh, 98 (29); Chris Jones, Kansas City, 93 (26); Zach Allen, Denver, 64 (16); Jalen Carter, Philadelphia, 48 (12); Leonard Williams, Seattle, 41 (8); Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants, 24 (5); Vita Vea, Tampa Bay, 13 (3); Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee, 8 (1); Nnamdi Madubuike, Baltimore, 4; Zach Sieler, Miami, 4; Kobie Turner, Los Angeles Rams, 3.

Linebackers

Zack Baun, Philadelphia, 138 (44); Fred Warner, San Francisco, 117 (36); Roquan Smith, Baltimore, 71 (20); Frankie Luvu, Washington, 53 (15), Bobby Wagner, Washington, 46 (11); Zaire Franklin, Indianapolis, 39 (8); Lavonte David, Tampa Bay, 18 (3); Daiyan Henley, Los Angeles Chargers 18 (3); Blake Cashman, Minnesota, 18 (1); Patrick Queen, Pittsburgh, 16 (3); Jack Campbell, Detroit, 16 (2); Kaden Elliss, Atlanta, 12 (1); Jordyn Brooks, Miami, 10 (1); Demario Davis, New Orleans, 6 (1); Nick Bolton, Kansas City, 6; Robert Spillane, Las Vegas, 5; Quincy Williams, New York Jets, 3 (1); Leo Chenal, Kansas City 2; Alex Anzalone, Detroit, 1; Edgerrin Cooper, Green Bay, 1; Nakobe Dean, Philadelphia, 1; Devin Lloyd, Jacksonville, 1; DeMarvion Overshown, Dallas, 1; Jamien Sherwood, New York Jets, 1.

Cornerbacks

Patrick Surtain II, Denver, 148 (49); Derek Stingley Jr., Houston, 91 (24); Trent McDuffie, Kansas City, 61 (15); Christian Gonzalez, New England, 32 (4); Denzel Ward, Cleveland, 23 (4); Byron Murphy, Minnesota, 20 (3); Christian Benford, Buffalo, 12 (1); Jaylon Johnson, Chicago, 4; Joey Porter Jr., Pittsburgh, 3; Quinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia, 2; Sauce Gardner, New York Jets, 1; Jaycee Horn, Carolina, 1; Keisean Nixon, Green Bay, 1; Jalen Ramsey, Miami, 2.

Slot Cornerbacks

Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore, 92 (26); Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers, 51 (13); Cooper DeJean, Philadelphia, 21 (6); Devon Witherspoon, Seattle, 16 (3); Garrett Williams, Arizona, 7; Deommodore Lenoir, San Francisco, 5 (1); Jourdan Lewis, Dallas, 5 (1); Mike Hilton, Cincinnati, 1; Taron Johnson, Buffalo, 1; Kenny Moore II, Indianapolis, 1.

Safeties

Kerby Joseph, Detroit, 120 (37); Xavier McKinney, Green Bay, 107 (31); Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore, 86 (23); Budda Baker, Arizona, 38 (7); Brian Branch, Detroit, 19; Jessie Bates III, Atlanta, 12 (1); Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh, 7 (1); Brandon Jones, Denver, 5; Camryn Bynum, Minnesota, 2; C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Philadelphia, 2; Calen Bullock, Houston, 1; Julian Love, Seattle, 1.

Special Teams

Placekickers

Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh, 127 (39); Brandon Aubrey, Dallas, 64 (10); Cameron Dicker, Los Angeles Chargers, 6; Chase McLaughlin, Tampa Bay, 3 (1).

Punters

Jack Fox, Detroit, 62 (15); Logan Cooke, Jacksonville, 58 (15); Tommy Townsend, Houston, 32 (9); AJ Cole, Las Vegas, 18 (5); Michael Dickson, Seattle, 18 (3); Ethan Evans, Los Angeles Rams, 6 (2); Corey Bojorquez, Cleveland, 4 (1); Matthew Hayball, New Orleans, 2.

Kick Returners

KaVontae Turpin, Dallas, 148 (49); Austin Ekeler, Washington, 11; Raheem Blackshear, Carolina, 9; Derius Davis, Los Angeles Chargers, 8; Keisean Nixon, Green Bay, 7; Ihmir Smith-Marsette, New York Giants, 6 (1); DeeJay Dallas, Arizona, 5; DeAndre Carter, Chicago, 2; Deebo Samuel, San Francisco, 2; Jerome Ford, Cleveland, 1; Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay, 1.

Punt Returners

Marvin Mims Jr., Denver, 114 (35); Kalif Raymond, Detroit, 60 (11); Marcus Jones, New England, 12 (2); Derius Davis, Los Angeles Chargers, 8 (1); KaVontae Turpin, Dallas, 4 (1); Calvin Austin, Pittsburgh, 2.

Special Teamers

Brenden Schooler, New England, 60 (16); J.T. Gray, New Orleans, 55 (15); Jeremy Reaves, Washington, 37 (11); KhaDarel Hodge, Atlanta, 26 (6); Nick Bellore, Washington, 5; Ashton Dulin, Indianapolis, 3 (1); Tavierre Thomas, Tampa Bay, 3 (1); Michael Hoecht, Los Angeles Rams, 3; Miles Killebrew, Pittsburgh, 2; James Pierre, Pittsburgh, 2; Luke Gifford, Tennessee, 1; Jon Rhattigan, Carolina, 1; Kelee Ringo, Philadelphia, 1; Trent Sherfield, Minnesota, 1.

Long Snappers

Andrew DePaola, Minnesota, 60 (16); Ross Matiscik, Jacksonville, 58 (15); Christian Kuntz, Pittsburgh, 12 (3); Joe Cardona, New England, 11 (3); Mitchell Fraboni, Denver, 8 (2); Josh Harris, Los Angeles Chargers, 7 (1); Scott Daly, Chicago, 7 (1); Reid Ferguson, Buffalo, 6 (2); Trent Sieg, Dallas, 6 (2); Jacob Bobenmoyer, Las Vegas, 5 (1); Morgan Cox, Tennessee, 4 (1); Thomas Hennessy, New York Jets, 3 (1); Liam McCullough, Atlanta, 3 (1); Taybor Pepper, San Francisco 3 (1), J.J. Jansen, Carolina, 2; Hogan Hatten, Detroit, 1; Casey Kreiter, New York Giants, 1; Tyler Ott, Washington, 1; Luke Rhodes, Indianapolis, 1; Jon Weeks, Houston, 1.


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Bill Huber
BILL HUBER

Bill Huber, who has covered the Green Bay Packers since 2008, is the publisher of Packers On SI, a Sports Illustrated channel. E-mail: packwriter2002@yahoo.com History: Huber took over Packer Central in August 2019. Twitter: https://twitter.com/BillHuberNFL Background: Huber graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he played on the football team, in 1995. He worked in newspapers in Reedsburg, Wisconsin Dells and Shawano before working at The Green Bay News-Chronicle and Green Bay Press-Gazette from 1998 through 2008. With The News-Chronicle, he won several awards for his commentaries and page design. In 2008, he took over as editor of Packer Report Magazine, which was founded by Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Nitschke, and PackerReport.com. In 2019, he took over the new Sports Illustrated site Packer Central, which he has grown into one of the largest sites in the Sports Illustrated Media Group.