Giants General Manager Dave Gettleman and Head Coach Joe Judge discuss the Giants' selection of Alabama safety Xavier McKinney in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Gettleman: Obviously, we had Xavier rated, we had a first-round value on him, and we're absolutely thrilled to get him. He's a great kid, he's smart, he plays smart, he lines up the backend for us, he's versatile, you can put him down low, he can cover tight ends, he's got ball skills, and he's a good tackler. So, we're excited and just feel we've got a real quality person and player in this second round pick.
Judge: Yeah, I'd say my first exposure to Xavier was a few springs ago. I was down in Alabama actually scouting a couple other guys for the draft and had an opportunity to pass on through one of the practices, and he just stuck out as a guy on the field who flies around. He plays with a lot of passion and energy. He also has that ability to be the quarterback on the backend and really be the signal caller for our defense. Knowing the program he comes from, he fits the mold of a smart, tough, fundamentally sound guy we're looking to build with. We're very excited to have him. Like Dave said, we had a first-round grade on him, saw him hanging around and we're very fortunate to be able to take him at the position that we did.
Q: Are there some similarities here with Xavier and Isaiah Simmons as you were watching the two films? It looks like Xavier is one of those guys who played 100 snaps at four different positions last year.
Gettleman: He certainly is versatile, he certainly is versatile. One of the important things for us this year was getting a safety that could play in the deep part of the field. Xavier has certainly played back there enough that we know we feel very comfortable about that part of his game.
Q: How much better do you feel about your secondary after making this pick and signing (James) Bradberry in free agency? Does it feel like it is shored up a lot more than maybe it was at the end of last year?
Gettleman: Absolutely. You know, it's kind of funny. Everybody is playing so much 11 and 10 personnel and you're in sub 55 to 70 percent of the time. You can never have enough DBs. You know, Bradberry is young, he's 26, I believe, or 25. Jabrill (Peppers) is young. All of these kids we drafted last year and now Xavier this year, we're putting together, I think, a very talented young group that just has the ability to play football at the NFL level. We've just got to get them rolling.
Q: Did you entertain a lot of offers to try to move down? Do you think having Xavier will actually enhance Jabrill Peppers and maybe put him in spots where you can enhance his talents rather than have to do things maybe he wasn't as good at?
Gettleman: Well, the first thing I'll tell you is we had made up our mind that if Xavier fell to us, we were taking him. So, we did have something. If Xavier had been gone, we did have a team willing to move up and we would've moved back. But we felt the value of getting Xavier there was just too good to pass up. I think the second part of the question is a better one for Joe, frankly.
Judge: You know, I don't think it's about any of the players on our roster. I just think with his versatility and what he's shown of what he's been able to do, play in the deep part of the field, play in the box, be used in coverage on slot receivers, be used in blitz packages. He's shown a range in what he's able to do. That's going to allow us to use all of our players in different ways. Because of his versatility, that will complement everybody else on the roster as his strengths shake out. But he has a good skill set to come in and compete and we're anxious to get him on the field and start working with him.
View photos of former Alabama S Xavier McKinney.
Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Marvin Gentry)
Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Louisiana-Lafayette quarterback Andre Nunez (7) is sacked by Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) and linebacker Dylan Moses (32) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) stands next to the MVP trophy for the defensive player of the game during the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Alabama defeated Oklahoma 45-34. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Tennessee wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) fumbles the ball as he's hit by Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Xavier McKinney (15) of the Alabama Crimson Tide in action during the College Football Playoff Semifinal game at the Capital One Orange Bowl on December 29, 2018 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida (Tom DiPace via AP)
Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) is congratulated by teammates after returning an interception 30 yards for a touchdown during the second half of their NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Oxford, Miss. Alabama won 62-7.(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) struts into the end zone after returning an interception 30-yards for a touchdown during the second half of their NCAA college football game against Mississippi, on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Oxford, Miss. Alabama won 62-7.(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) signals during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Southern Miss, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama defensive backs Xavier McKinney (15) and Jared Mayden (21) hug after the team's 35-13 win over Tennessee in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama defensive backs Xavier McKinney (15) and Jared Mayden (21) drag down Tennessee wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) attempts to throw to a receiver as he is sacked by Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) waves off a coverage during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) attempts to throw to a receiver as he is pressured by Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Marvin Gentry)
Clemson's Travis Etienne is stopped by Alabama's Xavier McKinney and Mack Wilson during the first half the NCAA college football playoff championship game, Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Southern Miss, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama's Xavier McKinney signals a paly during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
Alabama safety Xavier McKinney poses for a portrait during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Alabama safety Xavier McKinney poses for a portrait during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) fumbles the ball as he's hit by Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney (15) in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Alabama safety Xavier McKinney poses for a portrait during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Alabama safety Xavier McKinney poses for a portrait during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Alabama safety Xavier McKinney poses for a portrait during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Alabama safety Xavier McKinney poses for a portrait during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
A detail view of Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney's New Era jersey during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Alabama safety Xavier McKinney poses for a portrait during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Alabama safety Xavier McKinney poses for a portrait during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Alabama safety Xavier McKinney poses for a portrait during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Alabama safety Xavier McKinney poses for a portrait during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Alabama safety Xavier McKinney poses for a portrait during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Alabama safety Xavier McKinney poses for a portrait during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Alabama safety Xavier McKinney poses for a portrait during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Alabama safety Xavier McKinney poses for a portrait during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Alabama safety Xavier McKinney poses for a portrait during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Q: How much were you able to tap into your Alabama connections when you were scouting Xavier?
Judge: There's a number of guys down at Alabama that have a great background on him. There are a number of guys on our staff currently that have a great background on the Alabama guys, Burton Burns and Jody Wright were there in recent years. They were there when these guys came in as freshmen, they were there for the progression. As well as making phone calls down to Tuscaloosa, we were able to make phone calls and have staff meetings with guys who had direct relationships with these players and that's a great advantage. I talked yesterday about my relationship with Kirby (Smart) and how that plays a part in identifying these guys and what they are like off the field and off the tape. That plays a big part. There are certain people in that building, not just the head coach, that you rely on what they say. You know they see them as a person and how they treat everybody. Everyone has nothing but the highest compliments of him as a person and that's what we're looking for. Guys with good character, good traits, that want to come in and want to work and want to earn what they get.
Q: You are about to have a 63-pick gap, are you in moving up at all?
Gettleman: You have to see how the board falls. We are going to sit for a while. If we move up, I'm not going to dip into next year's draft class. We are going to sit here and be patient and see how the board falls.
Q: Do you think If Alabama held its pro day and he ran a better 40 than he did at the combine that he would have been there for you at that point?
Gettleman: It's speculation, (but) that's the only thing we can think of. Very frankly, I've said it to our scouts, it's how fast does a guy play? It's about how he carries his pads. It's not what he does in his underwear on a track, it's play speed. Way back in the day when San Francisco had their unbelievable run and Bill Walsh was running that club, they were not in a scouting combine. They did not care what a guy ran. They talked about play speed all the time. I think it worked pretty well for them. I am a big believer in that, it's about how fast does a guy play. If it was just about 40-yard dash times, then we would go watch track meets.
Q: What does this draft do for a guy like Julian Love?
Judge: Julian has a great skill set. He can play corner, he can play in the slot and he can play back deep as a safety. We are going to use him as we need by each game plan. He may be an every-down safety, he may be an-every down corner. We are too far away right now to give that an answer. We are excited about all the guys we have back there. We believe we added some talent to the back end for guys to compete and we are going to see where it shakes out. Nothing has been decided in terms of positions that will go into a depth chart at this point and nothing has been decided in how we are going to use guys by game plan. That will change week to week. We believe we have enough skillsets that it will give us flexibility within our packages.
Q: You have drafted a Georgia player in the third round or higher in three straight drafts. Is there anything particular about Georgia's program that you like?
Gettleman: What you like is the fact that it's the Southeast Conference. They play a lot of big games and they do a hell of a job coaching down there. It's more by accident, it's kind of the way it worked out. They have a hell of a program.
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