Cynthia Frelund picks Xavier McKinney as most underrated Giant
After ending his rookie year with a game-clinching interception against the Dallas Cowboys during the 2020 season, Xavier McKinney put together a strong sophomore campaign.
McKinney is now being acknowledged for his performance last season.
NFL Network analytics expert Cynthia Frelund chose one underappreciated player from each NFC team heading into the 2022 season. For the Giants, Frelund went with the third-year safety.
As Frelund writes, "McKinney earned PFF's 12th-best coverage grade (78.4) among 113 qualifying safeties in 2021. Computer vision shows that when the Giants deployed man concepts, he was at his best, decreasing opposing passer ratings by an average of 22.2 points. McKinney, who led the team in interceptions last season (5), improved over the course of the campaign, and it stands to reason that he'll be asked to do even more in Year 3, especially given the departure of James Bradberry."
McKinney played in all 17 games last season and finished the year among the team leaders in several categories.
His five interceptions were a team-high, while his 10 pass breakups and 93 combined tackles ranked second and third, respectively. Additionally, McKinney had the Giants' only defensive touchdown of the season with his 41-yard interception return for a score against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 9.
McKinney now gets to play under the guidance of defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. While Martindale led Baltimore's defense, the Ravens saw strong play from several different safeties, including Eric Weddle, Tony Jefferson, Earl Thomas, and Chuck Clark. Martindale will put McKinney in a position where the young safety can lean on his strengths.
View the top photos of safety Xavier McKinney's time with the Giants.
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) intercepts a pass during a week 18 NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, January 7, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) talks to his team mates before a week 14 NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Monday, December 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) intercepts a pass during a week 18 NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, January 7, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) intercepts a pass during a week 18 NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, January 7, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
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New York Giants free safety Xavier McKinney (29) intercepts a pass to Las Vegas Raiders' Zay Jones (7) as James Bradberry (24) watches during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
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New York Giants' Xavier McKinney (29) runs the ball after he intercepted it during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) intercepts a pass during a week 6 football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday October 17th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants' Xavier McKinney (29) runs the ball after he intercepted it during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
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New York Giants' Xavier McKinney (29) and Adoree' Jackson (22) tackle Carolina Panthers' Royce Freeman (32) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants free safety Xavier McKinney (29) intercepts a pass intended for Las Vegas Raiders' Zay Jones (7) as Giants' James Bradberry (24) watches during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Los Angeles Rams' Cooper Kupp, right, tackles New York Giants' Xavier McKinney after McKinney intercepted a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
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New York Giants' Xavier McKinney (29) celebrates with teammate Leonard Williams (99) after running back an interception for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants defensive back Xavier McKinney pursues on defense against the Kansas City Chiefs during a NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs defeated the Giants 20-17. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
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New York Giants' Xavier McKinney during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants free safety Xavier McKinney (29) intercepts a pass to Las Vegas Raiders' Zay Jones (7) as James Bradberry (24) watches during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 03: The New York Giants take on the Dallas Cowboys at Metlife Stadium on January 3, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a week 17 regular season football game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on January 3, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a week 17 regular season football game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on January 3, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a week 14 regular season football game against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium on December 13th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a week 15 regular season football game against the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium on December 20th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a week 14 regular season football game against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium on December 13th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass from the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a week 17 regular season football game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on January 3, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) in action during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) in action during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a week 15 regular season football game against the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium on December 20th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) warmups up prior to an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Cincinnati. The Giants won 19-17. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a week 15 regular season football game against the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium on December 20th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 03: The New York Giants take on the Dallas Cowboys at Metlife Stadium on January 3, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a week 15 regular season football game against the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium on December 20th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) runs in pursuit during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. The Giants defeated the Seahawks 17-12. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New York Giants' Xavier McKinney during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a week 14 regular season football game against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium on December 13th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 03: The New York Giants take on the Dallas Cowboys at Metlife Stadium on January 3, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) leaves the tunnel before a NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday Dec.13, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday June 9, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday June 10, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday June 8, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday June 8, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 23, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday August 19, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday August 14, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday August 14, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 24, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a week 1 football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday September 12, 2021 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Denver Broncos won 27-13. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) gets set before the snap during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Thursday Sept. 16, 2021 in Landover, Md. The Washington Football Team won 30-29. (Alika Jenner via AP)
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) drops back during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Thursday Sept. 16, 2021 in Landover, Md. The Washington Football Team won 30-29. (Alika Jenner via AP)
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) drops into coverage during an NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, NJ. The Falcons defeated the Giants 17-14. (Al Tielemans via AP)
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) walks onto the field against the Washington Football Team prior to an NFL Game, Thursday, Sep. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. Washington beat the Giants 30-29. (Cooper Neill via AP)
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) drops into coverage during an NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, NJ. The Falcons defeated the Giants 17-14. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) interacts with New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Denver Broncos won 27-13. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) hugs safety Xavier McKinney (29) before a week 1 football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday September 12, 2021 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Denver Broncos won 27-13. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. Washington won 30-29. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Denver Broncos won 27-13. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a week 1 football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday September 12, 2021 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Denver Broncos won 27-13. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Denver Broncos won 27-13. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) in action during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a Week 4 football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a week 3 football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday September 26th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a week 1 game against the Denver Broncos on September 12th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) intercepts a pass during a week 6 football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday October 17th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a week 1 game against the Denver Broncos on September 12th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a week 1 game against the Denver Broncos on September 12th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a week 1 game against the Denver Broncos on September 12th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in East Rutherford. N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants free safety Xavier McKinney (29) intercepts a pass to Las Vegas Raiders' Zay Jones (7) as James Bradberry (24) watches during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) defends during an NFL regular season football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Rams won, 38-11. (Ric Tapia via AP)
New York Giants defensive back Xavier McKinney pursues on defense against the Kansas City Chiefs during a NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs defeated the Giants 20-17. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
New York Giants free safety Xavier McKinney (29) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 20-17. (Perry Knotts via AP)
New York Giants free safety Xavier McKinney (29) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 20-17. (Perry Knotts via AP)
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New York Giants free safety Xavier McKinney (29) during warmups before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Monday, Nov. 1, 2021 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
New York Giants free safety Xavier McKinney (29) defends against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) in coverage prior to a play during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in New Orleans. The Giants defeated the Saints, 27-21. (Logan Bowles via AP)
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) in action during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) in action during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
New York Giants free safety Xavier McKinney (29) defends during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 44-20. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a week 11 football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday November 22nd, 2021 in Tampa, Florida
New York Giants free safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a week 18 football game against the Washington Football Team on Sunday January 9th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
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The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during a football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday October 30, 2022 in Seattle, Washington (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) talks to his team mates before a NFL Divisional Playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Saturday January 21, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) before a week 7 NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, October 22, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a week 10 NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, November 12, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a week 15 NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, December 17, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) returns an interception during a week 12 NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, November 28, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) intercepts a pass during a week 18 NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, January 7, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
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New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during an week 1 NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, September 10, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
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