Coming off a breakout year in his first with the Green Bay Packers, Xavier McKinney finds himself once again in PFF’s Top 101 player rankings for next season.
6th/170 among strong safeties with an 84.8 overall PFF grade, McKinney intercepted a career-high 8 passes in 2024, tied with Detroit’s Kerby Joseph for the league lead and almost as many as he had the first four years of his career. A specialist in coverage, he ranked third at his position in that category with a score of 90.0.
Where does the secondary standout fall in PFF’s leaguewide rankings, honoring the best at every position in the game?
McKinney’s Pass Coverage for Packers Elevates Him List of Top PFF Performers
One spot ahead of his ranking last season, and one spot behind fellow Alabama safety Brian Branch of the Detroit Lions, McKinney comes in as the NFL’s 56th best player, relative to position (i.e., PFF doesn’t let quarterbacks hog the list just because they occupy such a valuable role on the field).
McKinney held down the middle of field for Green Bay in a group including Evan Williams and Javon Bullard. While Williams was quite good in more limited playing time, ranking 33rd/170, Bullard was a weak link in the Packers’ secondary, coming up with the 141st best grade among eligible safeties.
Again next season Green Bay could use dominance from McKinney, the ballhawk they need to keep opposing passers antsy in the pocket.
Although Detroit’s Branch is better in run defense and the pass rush, ranking first and second in those areas, McKinney bests him in pure pass coverage. McKinney ranks ahead of four other safeties in the top 101: Seattle’s Julian Love (101), Atlanta’s Jessie Bates III (93), Denver’s Brandon Jones (72), and the Chargers’ Derwin James (71).
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) makes a catch before being tacked by Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) and safety Xavier McKinney (29) during the Thursday Night Football game at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. © Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Other Pertinent Mentions Among Top 101
Other relevant players who have appeared thus far in the rankings–spots 1-40 are yet unnamed–are Packers offensive tackle Zach Tom and three potential free agent targets for Green Bay.
One of half a dozen Eagles already on the list, defensive lineman Milton Williams, nominated elsewhere as a Packers “best fit” candidate, sits at #90. Recently linked edge rusher Khalil Mack, who despite his age might be the best free agent rusher available, is 54th. And, albeit an unlikely match for Green Bay, fresh off a conference championship run with the Commanders, the ancient Bobby Wagner ranks 41st.
As for McKinney, PFF.com had this to say about the Packers’ star pass-snagger:
56. S Xavier McKinney, Green Bay Packers
One year after placing 57th on this list, McKinney moves up one spot to No. 56 after looking like one of the best ballhawks in the league in his first year with the Packers.
The former New York Giant picked off eight passes in 2024, which tied with Kerby Joseph for the most in the NFL. McKinney’s 90.2 coverage grade trailed only Joseph among all safeties as well.
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