Packers Show Free-Agent Interest in Xavier McKinney, Rayshawn Jenkins

The Green Bay Packers have a huge need at safety. With the official start of NFL free agency, two targets reportedly have emerged.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers, as expected, are making some early noise in the free-agent safety market. Among the targets is Xavier McKinney, the clear-cut No. 1 safety available.

Another possibility is Rayshawn Jenkins, who was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars last week. He has a visit lined up with Green Bay, according to Pro Football Talk.

A second-round pick by the New York Giants in 2020, the 24-year-old McKinney played in 46 games in his four seasons. He missed large chunks of 2020 (broken foot) and 2022 (broken hand from an ATV accident).

However, when he’s played, he’s been extremely productive. In 17 games in 2021, he recorded five interceptions, 10 passes defensed and 93 tackles. In 17 games in 2023, he produced three interceptions, 11 passes defensed and a career-high 116 tackles.

GM Brian Gutekunst said he was looking to put together a versatile tandem to fit defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s system. That’s McKinney.

Of his 1,128 snaps in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus, 464 came at free safety, 388 came in the box and 167 came in the slot.

By PFF’s data, 74 safeties played 500 snaps in 2023. McKinney ranked fourth in missed-tackle percentage (seven misses; 5.7 percent) and sixth in passer rating (52.1). Of 49 safeties with at least 75 coverage snaps from the slot, he was 28th with 9.8 snaps per reception.

PFF charged him with zero touchdown catches allowed in 2023, and four touchdowns vs. nine interceptions in four seasons.

It’s perhaps worth noting that McKinney played his college ball at Alabama. He overlapped by one season with new Packers defensive passing game coordinator Derrick Ansley.

That coaching move by the Packers “intrigued” McKinney, he said in an interview with FanDuel’s Kay Adams.

The 30-year-old Jenkins was a fourth-round pick by the Chargers in 2017. He emerged as a starter in 2019 and 2020 before signing with Jacksonville in free agency. In three seasons with the Jaguars, he started 48 of a possible 51 games. He had three interceptions, 12 passes defensed and 116 tackles in 2022 and two interceptions, nine passes defensed, 101 tackles and a career-high seven tackles for losses in 2023.

Of his 1,099 snaps in 2023, 335 came at free safety, 489 came in the box and 188 came in the slot. Of 74 safeties who played 500 snaps, he ranked 36th in missed-tackle percentage (12 misses; 10.8 percent) and 15th in passer rating (61.1). Of 49 safeties with at least 75 coverage snaps from the slot, he was eight with 14.6 snaps per reception.

PFF charged him with only two touchdowns in his three years with the Jaguars.

The 49ers and Seahawks also are scheduled to host Jenkins, according to Pro Football Talk.

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