Twitter reacts to Giants' selection of Xavier McKinney

With their second pick in this year’s draft, the New York Giants selected Alabama safety Xavier McKinney.

McKinney will likely pair with Jabrill Peppers to make up the young core in the Big Blue secondary. Some considered McKinney to be the best safety in the draft and even first round talent.

Many reacted to the Giants second round pick:

With the 36th overall pick, the Giants grab one of Nick Saban’s favorites, Alabama S Xavier McKinney.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 24, 2020

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

The Giants are drafting S Xavier McKinney out of Alabama. Mel Kiper Jr. had him as his 15th-ranked prospect. Productive and versatile safety. Only dropped into the second round because he ran 4.63 in the 40-yard dash at the combine.

— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) 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

Great pick for the Giants.

— Scott Seidenberg (@ScottsOnAir) April 24, 2020

Daniel Jeremiah on Xavier McKinney: "This is a first round player."

— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) April 24, 2020

He’s played in the 285 snaps in the box, 227 in the slot and 272 at deep safety. #SwissArmyKnife

— PFF NY Giants (@PFF_Giants) April 24, 2020

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.

Big fan of Giants draft so far

— Mike Renner (@PFF_Mike) April 24, 2020

Wish the @Giants traded back. Happy with McKinney! Another SEC stud……..

— Dave Rothenberg (@RothenbergESPN) April 24, 2020

Thank you @Giants. Excellent 2nd round pick grabbing the best safety in the draft! Just as I was hoping earlier today! #NFLDraft https://t.co/qsPqV2lvvX

— Linda Cohn (@lindacohn) April 24, 2020

#Giants, Xavier McKinney is the next great @AlabamaFTBL safety in the NFL!! His range and football IQ are elite!

What makes him special- #AchoAnswers@mckinney15__ @JordanRaanan @MattLombardoNFL @RVacchianoSNY #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/IIzA0yAA6r

— Emmanuel Acho (@thEMANacho) April 24, 2020

This is back-to-back picks for the Giants coming from the SEC. Clearly the most competitive conference in college football:

Joe Judge SEC.

— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) April 24, 2020

Yassss. Like that pick!! #Giants going with defense. Best safety in draft? Maybe!!!! Joe Judge talked using his Alabama connections. Here we go! Xavier McKinney! @mckinney15__ … so, was that a friend @zoom_us projected on your ceiling? Nice touch!

— Tina Cervasio (@TinaCervasio) April 24, 2020

Some will easily draw a comparison to another similar Alabama safety who the Giants selected a few years ago:

Last time the Giants drafted a safety from Alabama at the top of the second he came in ticked that he wasn't a first round pick and became a Pro Bowler.

— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) April 24, 2020

Giants gonna get the top safety in the draft.
Xavier McKinney.
Second round pick from Alabama.
Just like Landon Collins a few years ago.

— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) April 24, 2020

This could mean some players on the current roster changing roles on defense for the better:

Love this pick by the Giants. I'm thinking this could mean Julian Love to the slot.

— Patricia Traina (@Patricia_Traina) April 24, 2020

HC Joe Judge said McKinney's versatility will allow everyone else to play to their strengths.

— Dan Salomone (@NYGsalomone) April 24, 2020

Gettleman: All these kids we've drafted [in the secondary]…we're putting together a talented, young group. We've just got to get them rolling.

— Dan Salomone (@NYGsalomone) April 24, 2020

Joe Judge says Xavier McKinney sticks out on the field "as a guy who flies around'' and can set up the entire defense.

— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) April 24, 2020

One of the Giant greats also chimed in praising the pick:

@Giants .Xavier Mckinney safety , one of Nick Sabans favorite players. Great pick by #Giants.

— Phil Simms (@PhilSimmsQB) April 24, 2020

The Giants other safety certainly showed his appreciation for the pick. They should make up for a good pair in the defensive backfield:

YESSSSSSSIR!!!!!!!!! @mckinney15__

— JP (@JabrillPeppers) April 24, 2020

For those wondering the Giants did think about moving back:

Gettleman said that if Xavier hadn't fallen to them, they would have moved back.

— Patricia Traina (@Patricia_Traina) April 24, 2020

Gettleman says Giants made up their mind if McKinney was there, they were taking him. If he was gone, they had a deal in place to trade down.

— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) April 24, 2020

Of course, it’ always just a bit sweeter when you select one of your rivals potential targets in the draft:

Xavier McKinney to the #Giants.

First DAL target off the board.

— Jonah Tuls (@JonahTulsNFL) April 24, 2020

And now we will all sit tight until the Giants next pick which seems like a long time away:

Gettleman and Judge would have time to go home and come back between now and the 99th overall pick if they weren't already there.

— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) April 24, 2020

Gallery

2020 NFL Draft: Best photos of new Giants S Xavier McKinney

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