It seems not everyone is optimistic about the Green Bay Packers’ new starting safety, Xavier McKinney.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler interviewed NFL executives, scouts, and coaches to rank the league’s top safeties. McKinney made the list at No. 10, with one voter placing him as high as No. 4, while another left him unranked.
One anonymous coordinator acknowledged McKinney’s physical abilities but questioned his overall game. “He doesn’t scare you,” the coordinator said.
This is a harsh critique of the young safety. The Packers signed him to a four-year, $67 million contract this offseason, indicating that Brian Gutekunst and his team see star potential in him.
A Positive Outlook on Xavier McKinney
Despite the coordinator’s skepticism, not everyone is pessimistic about McKinney’s future in Green Bay.
“Versatile safety that provides scheme flexibility because of his physical attributes and athletic profile,” an NFC personnel evaluator told ESPN. “I think he’s grown over the past year in terms of his man coverage, blitz, and disguise ability. He showed more this past season that he can be strategically moved around the backfield and deployed in multiple ways.”
McKinney, a second-round pick by the New York Giants in 2020, earned first-team All-SEC honors in his final year at Alabama. Although injuries have limited his playing time, he’s been productive, accumulating 279 total tackles, 27 pass breakups, nine interceptions, and two forced fumbles over 49 games.
The Packers plan to utilize McKinney heavily in 2024. New defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s aggressive scheme could help McKinney become a Pro Bowler.
Green Bay’s Other New Safeties
Even after signing McKinney, the Packers added more depth at safety in the 2024 draft.
Javon Bullard, one of their second-round picks, is expected to compete for a starting job opposite McKinney. A two-time national champion at Georgia, Bullard is a fearless, intelligent, and versatile safety.
Evan Williams from Oregon, known for his intensity and play-making ability, is another addition. Williams played four years at Fresno State before transferring to Oregon. He could contribute on special teams and possibly on defense.
Kitan Oladapo, a fifth-round pick from Oregon State, earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors in his final college season. With the team’s previous lack of depth at safety, he has an opportunity to get plenty of reps in training camp.
While McKinney was a significant signing, expect at least one of the rookie safeties to play a key role as well.