McKinney was a candidate to receive the franchise tag, but the Giants chose to let him test the waters of free agency instead. Things worked out for McKinney as he is now set to be one of the league’s highest-paid safeties. McKinney started all 17 games last year and broke up 11 passes while also finding three interceptions. He even contributed .5 sacks and two TFLs. One of the best coverage safeties in the league, McKinney will take Darnell Savage’s place in the lineup. Savage is set to leave Green Bay for Jacksonville once contract signings become official.

The Giants drafted McKinney with the No. 36 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The four-year vet has started 46 of 49 career games he’s played while totaling 279 tackles, nine interceptions, and two forced fumbles. McKinney appeared in every regular season game for the Giants last season and earned an elite PFF coverage grade of 91.2 on more than 1,100 defensive snaps. McKinney will have a strong market during his impending free agency and should draw the interest of several contenders.

Xavier McKinney is active and will return after a seven game absence. The Giants will also have Azeez Ojulari available as they look to clinch a playoff spot with a win today. The Giants are getting healthy at the right time. 

McKinney last played in Week 8 against the Seahawks, ending a two-month absence due to a hand injury sustained in an ATV accident over New York's Week 9 bye week. He'll be a valuable addition to a secondary missing Adoree' Jackson as the team fights to secure a playoff berth in Week 17.