Green Bay Packers Sky Rocket As Favorites To Sign Elite Starter
The Green Bay Packers will be heading into the 2024 season with aspirations of taking their roster from playoff caliber to championship caliber. Something that many fans didn’t anticipate just two seasons after trading legendary quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Today, reports have surfaced that one player could do just that for the Packers.
The Green Bay Packers Named Perfect Landing Spot For Veteran Defender
Matt Bowen, ESPN’s staff writer, has an intriguing option for Green Bay. According to his article on the perfect landing spots for free agents, Green Bay is an ideal fit for New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney:
“This might be a stretch given the Packers’ history in free agency, but McKinney can play both safety spots, with the ability to cover down and create range in the post.
He had three interceptions last season with the Giants, and I see him as a good fit for a Packers defense that will change its coverage and pressure tendencies under defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.”
The Packers could have selected Xavier McKinney in the 2020 draft, but Brian Gutekunst traded up to select quarterback Jordan Love instead. At the beginning of the second round, McKinney was selected by the New York Giants with the 36th overall pick.
According to Wendell Ferreria:
He allowed a 53.0 passer rating when targeted, with 8.7 yards per reception. McKinney has 94 solo tackles, one forced fumble and three interceptions in 2023, according to PFF.
McKinney is a versatile secondary piece. Last season, he had 464 snaps as a free safety, 388 snaps in the box, 167 snaps in the slot, 82 close to the line of scrimmage, and 27 as an outside corner.
McKinney is the 30th ranked player on A to Z Sports’ list of top 105 free agents. His contract projection is pretty feasible for the Packers, with a reasonable $6.5 million projected cap hit in year 1.
Safety will be a position of importance for the Packers this off-season. With McKinney only being 24 years old, he would fit in perfectly with the Packers unofficial “youth movement” over the last two off-seasons.
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