McKinney has proven to be worth the investment. His performance has consistently drawn praise, including recognition from ESPN as one of the top safeties entering the 2026 season, per Jeremy Fowler. He remains ranked among the league’s elite at the position, holding the No. 3 spot in ESPN’s rankings for the second year in a row. Some voters among executives, coaches, and scouts cited by Fowler had him as low as seventh, but the consensus highlights his refined game and playmaking ability.
Fowler described McKinney as a safety with a highly disciplined approach who also takes calculated risks to create splash plays. In his second year with the Packers, McKinney limited opposing quarterbacks to a 54.7 passer rating when targets came his way, allowing 15 receptions and 172 yards on 29 targets.
Known for his ball-hawking skills, McKinney has 19 career interceptions. In 2024, his first season with Green Bay, he posted a career-high eight interceptions, earning First-Team All-Pro honors. While his interception total dropped to two in 2025, he remained disruptive with 10 passes defended, achieving a ball-hawk rate of 34.5%—the sixth-highest among safeties with at least 100 coverage snaps, according to Next Gen Stats. He also led safeties with at least 400 coverage snaps in that metric.
Across his first two seasons with the Packers, McKinney has not allowed a touchdown as the nearest defender, a testament to his coverage skills and situational awareness. A former AFC coach praised his quick processing and consistency: McKinney is able to read plays rapidly, position himself effectively, and excels in both tackling and coverage.
Xavier McKinney’s recognition extended beyond ESPN’s rankings. He earned a spot on NFL.com’s Top 100 Players list for 2026, though he dropped to No. 70. While his ranking fluctuated, evaluators noted his continued impact in the Packers’ defense. NFL.com highlighted his 10 passes defensed on 29 targets, a 34.5% ball hawk rate that remained close to his 2024 performance, along with a near-perfect passer rating when quarterbacks targeted him and strong run defense metrics from the 2025 season.
Regardless of ranking placements, McKinney has established himself as one of the league’s premier safeties. Through two seasons in Green Bay, he has been a difference-maker in pass coverage, run defense, and as a playmaker. If the Packers aim to contend in the NFC in 2026, McKinney is poised to be a major factor once again.
