Xavier McKinney

Xavier Avis McKinney (born August 9, 1999) is an American football safety who is a free agent.

He played college football at Alabama.

McKinney attended Roswell High School in Roswell, Georgia.

As a senior, he recorded 82 tackles and seven interceptions.

He committed to the University of Alabama to play college football.

As a true freshman at Alabama in 2017, McKinney played in 13 games as a backup and special teams player.

As a starter in 2018, he had 73 tackles, two interceptions and three sacks.

He was named the defensive MVP of the 2018 Orange Bowl.

On January 4, 2020, McKinney announced he would skip his senior season and would enter the 2020 NFL Draft.

McKinney was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round with the 36th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

On September 6, 2020, McKinney was placed on injured reserve with a fractured foot.

He was activated on November 28, 2020.

On January 3, 2021, against the Dallas Cowboys, McKinney recorded his first career interception off quarterback Andy Dalton in the end zone with 1:24 remaining in the 4th quarter helping the Giants beat the Cowboys 23–19.

On week 6 against the Los Angeles Rams McKinney intercepted 2 passes, one pass thrown by Matthew Stafford intended for Cooper Kupp and the other pass thrown by John Wolford also intended for Kupp.

On November 3, 2021, the Giants announced that McKinney was in the COVID protocol.

In Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders, McKinney recorded seven tackles and intercepted two passes from Derek Carr, returning one for a touchdown, helping the Giants beat the Raiders, 23–16.

He was named NFC Defensive player of the Week as a result for his performance.

During the Giants Week 9 bye week, McKinney suffered a broken hand in an ATV accident, which sidelined him for multiple weeks.

He was subsequently placed on Reserve/Non-Football Injury list.

He was activated on December 31.

McKinney, along with teammate Bobby Okereke, were the only two defenders in the NFL to not miss a snap the entire season.