New York Giants Take Xavier McKinney at 36 – reaction
After taking offensive tackle Andrew Thomas with the fourth overall pick, the New York Giants took Alabama safety, Xavier Mckinney, at 36.
The New York Giants kicked off their second day of the draft by selecting a guy many thought would be drafted in the first round, Xavier McKinney. McKinney will fill the holes left by Landon Collins (another Alabama guy) who departed in free agency the year prior.
Since Collins went to Washington, the Giants were without a permanent solution at safety. That’s where McKinney comes in. ‘X’ as they call him, is a 6-1, 200-pound safety, but he can also line up at cornerback or even linebacker if needed.
In his junior year at Bama, McKinney had 95 total tackles, three interceptions, and also three sacks. His addition will undoubtedly help the New York Giants who had one of the worst, if not THE worst defensive team in the NFL last season.
McKinney joins a Giants defense that also added James Bradberry, Nate Ebner, Kyler Fackrell, and Blake Martinez this offseason, plus they brought back Leonard Williams on a franchise tag.
The Giants’ 2020 defense in week one will look much different than the 2019 defense in week 17.
I would imagine the defensive starters will likely look something like this:
- LDE: Dexter Lawrence
- NT: Dalvin Tomlinson
- RDE: Leonard Williams
- WLB: Kyler Fackrell
- LILB: David Mayo
- RILB: Blake Martinez
- SLB: Lorenzo Carter
- LCB: DeAndre Baker
- SS: Jabrill Peppers
- FS: Xavier McKinney
- RCB: James Bradberry
This still isn’t FANTASTIC, but it is for sure a step in the right direction Big Blue. Drafting McKinney was a spectacular pick, and in my mind, this was the best possible pick they could’ve made at 36.
As mentioned earlier, McKinney was thought to be a surefire first-round pick, but somehow he slipped into the second round, and the Giants took full advantage of it.
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“X” was part of an Alabama defense that, in 2018, let up an average of only 18.1 points per game, which was good for 10th in the nation, and in 2019 they let up 19.9, good for 15th despite the plethora of injuries they had.
McKinney is used to playing on elite defenses, and he is ready to be the guy who can help turn around the Giants defense and move them in the right direction going forward. Overall, McKinney was an incredible pick for the Giants at 36, and he will make an immediate impact as a day one starter.
Next. Giants take Andrew Thomas fourth overall – reaction. dark
What do you think about the New York Giants selection of Xavier McKinney? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.