During Tuesday’s edition of SportsCenter, NFL scouting analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay were taking questions on their big boards and such as the NFL Draft approaches later this month. But there was a special call which came in for Kiper in the form of Alabama safety Xavier McKinney.
In his brief video, McKinney called out Kiper for not having him as the No. 1 safety in the draft and pleaded with McShay to help explain why he is deserving of that spot.
Alabama safety Xavier McKinney called me out. And he's not wrong … pic.twitter.com/J1hj9SnYFo
— Mel Kiper Jr. (@MelKiperESPN) April 7, 2020
“So, I’ve watched a lot of safeties in this year’s draft. And so for Mel, I just want to ask why I’m not the No. 1 safety in this year’s draft, based solely off film? Nothing else just film,” said McKinney. “And for Todd, I want you to please explain to Mel why I am the No. 1 safety in the draft, based solely off of film because film never lies. Ever.”
Although some would concede immediately when being called out on national television Kiper stuck to he did ultimately stick to his guns despite adding an asterisk to his list.
“He’s the best pure safety. Antoine Winfield is a slot corner/safety with more versatility, ran 4.45. Xavier ran 4.63,” said Kiper. “But as a pure safety, Xavier McKinney is No. 1 on my board. But as a versatile guy who can do a lot of things and wear a lot of hats, it would be Antoine Winfield Jr. Both are going to go in that 20-25, 20-28 range.”
McShay also held up his end of the question, making in clear that he believes McKinney is the best safety in the class.
“The ability to get off of a block and then make the tackle and then turn run and go up and get the ball, I mean, (Winfield’s) special. There’s no question,” said McShay. “But he’s not McKinney. I mean, McKinney, to me, is the difference-maker in terms of the safety position this year.”
Last season McKinney led Alabama in tackles with 95, while also recording 5.5 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, three sacks and three interceptions.
Like Kiper stated above, both safeties are projected to be first round picks getting taken in the 20-28 range. Within those picks are teams like the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles who may be looking to bolster that spot defensively.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
