One of the big moves that the Green Bay Packers made during the 2024 NFL offseason was signing safety Xavier McKinney. A second-round pick of the New York Giants in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Alabama, this offseason was his first chance to cash in as a free agent.
He certainly made the most of it, signing one of the most lucrative contracts for a safety in NFL history. He certainly earned it with his performance with the Giants, playing every defensive snap for the team last season all over the field.
Xavier McKinney showcased incredible versatility. He lined up at both safety spots, slot cornerback, boundary cornerback, linebacker and even edge rusher. Wherever Wink Martindale needed him, he was deployed depending on the package.
The Packers are hoping that he can have a similar impact this season. He will be leading a revamped safety position that the only holdover from 2023 is Anthony Johnson Jr., a seventh-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
In the 2024 NFL Draft, Green Bay used draft picks on three safeties; Javon Bullard in Round 2, Evan Williams in Round 4 and Kitan Oladapo in Round 5. Despite being set to turn only 26 years old in August himself, Xavier McKinney is the elder statesman of this group. He has had no qualms about sharing his knowledge with his younger teammates.
“They’ve been picking my brain a lot. It’s been good though. I’ve been letting them know small things they haven’t seen before,” McKinney said. (H/T PackersWire)
Like McKinney, the other safeties added to the mix have versatile skill sets. Learning from someone who has already done it in the NFL will give them a leg up on their peers who may not have a veteran to lean on.
Having a veteran to lean on in your position group is always important. Early in his Giants career, Xavier McKinney had Logan Ryan and Jabrill Peppers to learn from. He will now be filling the same role with the Packers and is enjoying it in the early going.
