Where Will Pending UFA Giants Safety Xavier McKinney Land?

Xavier McKinney is counting on a a bullish market for his services, but he might have some competition at his position for the big money.

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen has said in the past that he's not in favor of letting young, promising talent walk out the door when their contracts expire.

But in the case of safety Xavier McKinney, Schoen might just have an uphill battle retaining the 24-year-old pending free agent who, unlike fellow pending free agent running back Saquon Barkley, hasn't openly expressed a desire to be a Giant for life.

McKinney, the Giants' second-round pick in 2020, has had a rocky career in East Rutherford since leaving Alabama, mainly due to injury. He appeared in just six games as a rookie thanks to a broken foot suffered late in training camp, but showed flashes of promise when he did get back on the field.

After a nice sophomore season for the Giants in which he logged a career-high five interceptions for 64 yards and 93 tackles, McKinney lost part of his third season thanks to a freak ATV accident that shattered his left hand.

This past season, McKinney, who expressed disappointment over not being among those players with expiring contracts to receive an extension as Andrew Thomas and Dexter Lawrence did, got off to a sluggish start. In his first eight games of 2023, he recorded 43 tackles and only six passes defended.

In the back half of the 2023 season, McKinney, who didn't miss a single defensive snap this past year, really picked up his play. He recorded 73 tackles en route to a career-high 116 tackles, posting five games in the final nine with double-digit tackles. He also added five pass breaks, three intercepts, and a forced fumble in his quest to convince the league that he was among the best, if not the best, safeties set to hit free agency this off-season.

Never go where your tolerated .. only go where you are appreciated ! 🤞🏾

— Xavier McKinney (@mckinney15__) February 25, 2024

McKinney, who is looking to be paid like a top-shelf safety, should have no shortage of suitors for his services. Bleacher Report believes the Las Vegas Raiders, who currently employ Patrick Graham, McKinney's defensive coordinator with the Giants during his first two seasons in the league, could be a perfect fit. Pro Football Network opines that the Green Bay Packers would be a good fit given the team's weak spot at safety.

The Giants also can't be ruled out, as there is speculation New York could use the seldom-used transition tag on McKinney, which would give them the right to match any offer sheet he signs within five days. However, Such a tactic would cost the Giants at least $13 million (the transition tag amount) to have that right.

Then again, it's just simply possible that the market won't be as fruitful as McKinney, ranked as the fourth best pending UFA safety by Pro Football Focus, is anticipating to where maybe he and the Giants agree to a shorter contract that would allow him to eventually test the market again in a year or two.

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