With The First Pick
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Build it and the quarterback will come, 2020 NFL Draft and beyond

By Jeremiah Bogan

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates his seventy-four yard touchdown throw during the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates his seventy-four yard touchdown throw during the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Hunter Renfrow #13 of the Clemson Tigers attempts to catch the pass under pressure from Xavier McKinney #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Hunter Renfrow #13 of the Clemson Tigers attempts to catch the pass under pressure from Xavier McKinney #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

15

Xavier  McKinney S

Alabama Crimson Tide Football
Alabama Crimson Tide Football /

Scouting Report

There once was a time where a playmaking safety had to be a guy who could sit back in single high coverage like Ed Reed and roam sideline to sideline finding the football. Today’s game is more about matchups and versatility because if you can matchup in different positions then that makes you a playmaker that erases opposing teams’ strengths. Xavier McKinney is today’s prototype safety who can play all over the defense.

A jack of all trades, McKinney will carve a niche in any defensive scheme and find a way to be successful. His mental processing is unbelievable and allows him to play a step ahead on every snap. He has elite football intelligence and triggers downhill in a hurry as an elite run support safety. His elite run support allows him to play in the box as a guy who can take on blocks to set the edge while also being an excellent tackler in space who stops the momentum of ball carriers when he makes contact.

McKinney has the athleticism to be a tight end eraser who is strong enough to not be bullied by bigger bodied tight ends while having the fluidity to stay in the hip of the league’s better receiving tight ends. He has a very good understanding of how teams are trying to attack him and knows the weaknesses in his team’s coverage.

He leverages routes very well as an underneath zone defender while providing really good coverage out of two-high looks. Has good coverage abilities when going from hash to sideline as a half field safety. Directs traffic in coverage, calling out crossers and getting guys set up according to motions and condensed formations

McKinney even has ball skills that extend far beyond just finding the football, he is a guy who creates a high number of forced fumbles. He is as good of a playmaker that you can have on the back end because he can play a number of spots at a high level. Xavier McKinney is the type of cornerstone safety that today’s game is turning to and he will continue to be a playmaker at the next level and may just be the best safety in the 2020 NFL Draft.

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