The Giants had two picks on Day 2 of the 2020 NFL Draft and emerged from the night with Alabama safety Xavier McKinney (36th overall pick) and UConn offensive tackle Matt Peart (99th overall).
Here are what NFL experts are saying about the picks.
The #Giants quickly turn the pick in, selecting #Bama safety Xavier McKinney at No. 36. Most teams had him as a clear first-rounder. Joe Judge coached at Alabama, now take a player from there.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 24, 2020
X.Mckinney is a versatile safety with a high IQ and excellent communication skills. He can play in the box for the @Giants as $ LB in nickel packages or man the post as a deep middle player. #NFLDraft
— Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) April 24, 2020
Hey Giants fans: @JimNagy_SB comped Matt Peart to D'Brickashaw Ferguson.
— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) April 25, 2020
Get excited.
Xavier McKinney was just as versatile Isaiah Simmons last year without any of the fanfare. He played over 200 snaps in box, slot, and deep.
— Mike Renner (@PFF_Mike) April 24, 2020
Big fan of Giants draft so far
I trust Daniel Jeremiah. @MoveTheSticks just called McKinney "the best safety in the draft." #NYG
— Kimberly Jones (@KimJonesSports) April 24, 2020
I love this idea by the way for the Giants. They've got their developmental tackle for next season, maybe sooner. https://t.co/jZOLkO1x1f
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) April 25, 2020
New York's newest addition Xavier McKinney can do it all pic.twitter.com/RUEIOUK5A9
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 24, 2020
Matt Peart and Terrell Burgess are two of my favorite third-round picks:https://t.co/IESdS7gQz1
— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) April 25, 2020
And I love the Giants getting Xavier McKinney, too. The Alabama safety is a big-time favorite of Nick Saban's. His ex-assistant Joe Judge did well to get him at 36.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 24, 2020
Matt Peart was another second round tackle on my draft board.
— Jonah Tuls (@JonahTulsNFL) April 25, 2020
An absolute steal for the #Giants at 99. Potential bookend tackles with Thomas and Peart.
I love me some Xavier McKinney awesome free safety nickel type. He throws his body around. Has no regard for his body. He is awesome in coverage.
— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) April 24, 2020
#Giants got a good one here in #UConn's Matt Peart, who had a solid #SeniorBowl wk. In the run game, fires off the football, able to reach, wash, base block & pin with great effectiveness. A coach’s dream, as he is one of the few lineman you’ll see that block through the whistle.
— Emory Hunt (@FBallGameplan) April 25, 2020
Giants select UConn Tackle Matt Peart at 99, a gifted athlete and raw talent with incredibly long arms
— Madelyn Burke (@MadelynBurke) April 25, 2020
Xavier McKinney @AlabamaFTBL Exc move by @giants - My #1 Safety - I surveyed 9 teams and they him as their #1 DS too- Natural Free Safety movement and instincts. Can cover TE's too in NFL @nflnetwork
— Charley Casserly (@CharleyCasserly) April 24, 2020
Daniel Jeremiah on Xavier McKinney: "This is a first round player."
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) April 24, 2020
McKinney was awarded most versatile Safety in the class. He recorded a 87.6 overall grade his final year at Alabama, 88.1 grade in coverage.
— PFF NY Giants (@PFF_Giants) April 24, 2020
In 2019, McKinney had 4 pass-breakups, 4 forced fumbles, and 3 interceptions. McKinney allowed just 350 yards on 58 targets.
The Giants took Matt Peart (UConn) with the 99th overall pick. Picking for value at this point. Developmental tackle with talent, athleticism and size. Has great length. His 36 5/8-inch arms were the longest of all O-linemen at the combine.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) April 25, 2020
Most people had Xavier McKinney as a top 20 player on their board. He played all over the place for Alabama last year. Deep, box, slot. Really good football player. Reports were that Nick Saban raved about him to teams. Nice moveable piece on defense. First safety taken.
— John Schmeelk (@Schmeelk) April 24, 2020
Xavier McKinney career at Alabama:
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 24, 2020
984 Coverage snaps
3 TD allowed pic.twitter.com/NSP7YU4RV4
Alabama coach Nick Saban told teams that S Xavier McKinney was one of his very favorite players. McKinney goes to @Giants at 36. New coach Joe Judge was on Saban’s staff as an analyst for 3 years.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) April 24, 2020
11th best pass blocking grade in 2019 among the draft class with an 86 grade allowing just 7 total pressures in 415 pass blocking snaps!
— PFF NY Giants (@PFF_Giants) April 25, 2020
#Giants, Xavier McKinney is the next great @AlabamaFTBL safety in the NFL!! His range and football IQ are elite!
— Emmanuel Acho (@thEMANacho) April 24, 2020
What makes him special- #AchoAnswers@mckinney15__ @JordanRaanan @MattLombardoNFL @RVacchianoSNY #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/IIzA0yAA6r
Peart started 24 games at right tackle at UCONN, and 24 at left tackle. Started his career at LT before moving to the right side. Fist Team All-AAC and team captain in 2019. 5.06 40 yard dash at NFL Combine.
— John Schmeelk (@Schmeelk) April 25, 2020
Some of the 3rd picks I like: Matt Peart OT @Giants Malik Harrison LB @ravens Logan Wilson LB @bengals Lucas Niang OT @chiefs Devin Asiasi TE @patriots Cameron Danzler CB @Vikings @nflnetwork
— Charley Casserly (@CharleyCasserly) April 25, 2020
#Giants-#XavierMcKinney-. Aggressive tackling and has made some big hits. Sudden change of direction and chase ability puts him in position to make a lot of plays. Sudden to drive on the ball in the air. Solid ball skills getting his hands to the catch point
— Dan Shonka (@Ourlads_Shonka) April 24, 2020
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