Xavier McKinney
S
Alabama
Strengths
6' 0"
Height
Weight
201
Bench | 40-Time | 10-Time | 20-Time |
|---|---|---|---|
Vertical | Broad Jump | 20-Shuttle | 60-Shuttle |
|---|---|---|---|
3-Cone | Hand | Arm | Wingspan |
|---|---|---|---|
Final Grade
7.85
McKinney's best attribute is his advanced overall understanding of the game at such a young age. He has experience playing all positions in the secondary outside of outside corner, and he was consistent and performed well in those roles against both the run and the pass. Once he diagnoses the play he quickly gets into position to either fill his gap or take away a target for the QB. He has no issue staying attached to a receivers hip in phase, also is competitive and has great timing at the catch point. He is also a very good form tackler who finished 10th in the SEC with 95 tackles, who has a nose for the football, as he forced 4 fumbles which led the SEC.
Weaknessess
His athleticism isn't top tier, so that limits his ceiling at the next level. He isn't an overly physical player, which isn't what you want to hear about a safety. The lack of physicality is most apparent when he takes on blockers with bigger bodies. Though he is a very good tackler, he struggles to consistently bring down ball carriers in space.
Injury History
Games Evaluated
2019 Vs: Arkansas, LSU, Auburn
Big Picture
Xavier McKinney is a versatile player who will fit with any team looking for a player on a zone heavy defense that they can use in a variety of alignments and still get high-quality play. I believe he projects best as primarily a single-high safety who can move around to disguise coverages and even be used as a blitzer. He will be a solid player who can be a building block for a secondary and will certainly be a day 1 pick at worst an early day 2 selection.
Team Fit
Player Comp
Athleticism:
7.38
7.25
Fluid movement and very good quick twitch movement allow him to move on his spots in zone coverage and stay with a receiver in phase. His explosiveness is apparent in his closing quickness in run fills and in when he has to get to his top speed to make a play on the ball at range. Lacks high-end size/length to compete with bigger bodies at the catch point consistently. Plays under control and doesn't waste movement or take false steps and gets himself in the position to make plays.
Foot Quickness | Lateral Agility | Speed | Play Strength | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
7.4 | 7.4 | 7.4 |
7.5
Coverage Ability:
7.25
7.25
Big Play Ability
Man Coverage | Zone Coverage | Recovery | Hip Fluidity |
|---|---|---|---|
7.00 | 8.6 | 7.9 |
He has been deployed by Alabama as a single high S, box S, slot CB, and has even rushed off the edge as a 2 point OLB. This versatility gives him experience in a multitude of zone responsibilities including a deep middle, buzz, curl flat, and middle hook. In these coverages as well as off man, McKinney uses very good hips to latch onto a receiver in his zone or in off man to stay in phase with them.