Xavier McKinney

[MadtownPacker]

That’s my feeling also. Rasul fanboys like Bretsky and Bobble just like the instant gratification of the TOs. Me too but not at the expense of constantly giving up big plays.

[Frozen Tundra]

That’s my feeling also. Rasul fanboys like Bretsky and Bobble just like the instant gratification of the TOs. Me too but not at the expense of constantly giving up big plays.

I looked it up, and he has 9 career total - ranging anywhere from a couple of seasons where he had 0, to 5 in 2021 (including a pick six). The "5" tells me he has the ability, but the variance suggests that it may have to do with how he is being used. 6 of his 9 came in his first 2 seasons, when I do know he was being experimented with trying to find the best way to get maximum overall production. Their defensive coordinator those 2 seasons was Pat Graham, who was replaced by Wink Martindale in 2022 as part of a massive overhaul of the defensive staff.

That 2022 season was the first year McKinney had 0 picks, and their defense had a rocky year. But he came back last year with a respectable 3 picks, which again isn't a lot but enough to make most quarterbacks careful about what they throw at him.

So who knows what we'll get out of him. He's a young player, and it's hard to get a clear read on his longterm potential from just a few seasons with an overall uncertain defense. If he defends his man well, there may not be many balls thrown to his part of the field anyway.