Xavier McKinney

Of the three noteworthy Giants safeties, McKinney probably carries the most risk. He likely can't challenge Jabrill Peppers or Logan Ryan as starters, and any bench player has slim room for error as an IDP. McKinney could be a rare three-down third safety, however, especially since he, Ryan and Peppers are capable of lining up at CB or LB. The three each played more than 70 snaps in Week 17, so the blueprint is already laid out. With 25 tackles and an INT on 209 snaps, McKinney's per-snap production implies he'll provide DB2 utility or better if he remains in a three-down role.

As an accomplished college safety praised for his ability to alternate between safety, slot corner and rover functions, McKinney's worst-case NFL outcome is probably something like Kenny Vaccaro. There's plenty of room for a better outcome than that, though, both because McKinney inherits a productive role and because he posted standout production at Alabama. Antoine Bethea made 110 tackles in 2019 starting opposite Jabrill Peppers, and in 13 games last year McKinney totaled 95 tackles, three sacks and three interceptions as the Crimson Tide's leading tackler. Unfortunately, McKinney suffered a foot fracture during training camp, likely putting him on injured reserve to start his pro career. He isn't expected to play until November or December, if at all this season.