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10 best players available after Round 1 of the NFL Draft

By Logan Jakubajtys

ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 23: D'Andre Swift #7 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs with the ball during a game between Texas A&M and the Georgia Bulldogs. (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 23: D'Andre Swift #7 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs with the ball during a game between Texas A&M and the Georgia Bulldogs. (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /
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Xavier McKinney, NFL Draft
OXFORD, MS – SEPTEMBER 15: Xavier McKinney #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide defends during a game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

4. S Xavier McKinney, Alabama

Another available safety is Nick Saban’s product Xavier McKinney. In reality, he would have been a first round pick in so many other years. The same teams that will be looking at Winfield Jr., like the Patriots, will be in on McKinney. The Chicago Bears would also love to get their hands on this player with the 43rd selection.

McKinney has a high football IQ and is known for his toughness. He is very versatile, playing well in many different personnel groupings and packages. McKinney has a quick burst and fluid change of direction in the open field. He will ball hawk and look at opportunities to jump in front for takeaways while having the speed to win a foot race over the top when in Cover 1. He may have fallen due to the amount of separation he allows at times, and he will need to do better at maintaining his leverage.

When McKinney does allow catches though, he is a sure tackler, using his length to clamp and roll wide receivers. He also also proven he has the skill set to become an elite blitzer when needed. While many have Winfield ahead of McKinney, the Alabama product could actually come off the board first.

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