Who's Lining up Next to Xavier McKinney?

Which young Safety will step up to play alongside the Packers' big free-agent signing?

In the last 15 years, I don't think a Free Agent signing has made more sense for the Green Bay Packers than Xavier McKinney. He's a premiere player in a position of need, he's young only turning 25 in August, he's a leader, and he loves the game. In my lifetime, I can't recall chomping at the bit for the Packers to sign a player more than I did for Xavier McKinney. When I read the news that McKinney was now a Packer, I nearly jumped through the ceiling. Given that excitement, there are many expectations around the new number 29. But outside of that, the Packers still have questions at the Safety position, and that is, who will play next to Xavier McKinney?

This offseason, the Packers elected to overhaul the Safety position. Of the 2,280 Safety snaps on defense during the 2023 season, Darnell Savage, Jonathan Owens, and Rudy Ford accounted for 85% of them. Guess what, all three of those players are not returning to the Packers in 2024. The player that accounted for the most Safety snaps after those three is Anthony Johnson Jr. with 13%. So, after Xavier McKinney, the Packers' NFL experience at the Safety position is honestly a big sea of nothingness. Which is fine. If the Bears can roll out a rookie with a goose egg for experience at the Quarterback position come week 1, I think the Packers can afford to do the same at Safety. But who's going to take it?

If OTA's on Tuesday are any indication, the Packers are making anyone who wants it, earn it. Anthony Johnson Jr. received the first reps next to Xavier McKinney in DB drills as well as team reps in the first practice open to the media. No matter their draft position or the hype that might be behind them, the Packers usually don't hand rookies anything. They make them earn their position. Having three rookie safeties in Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, and Kitan Oladapo, the Packers have some strong competition for that starting spot. They must understand the past is the past, and your draft position doesn't matter, you have to perform to earn that spot. Anthony Johnson Jr. was a 7th-round pick last year, he's going up against three rookies that were second, fourth, and fifth-round picks. That doesn't matter, right now he's proved more than they have so he leads the way. 

But when it's all said and done, who could hold that spot come week 1 in Sao Paulo?

Setting themselves apart

Yes, he was a 7th round pick. But back in April of 2023, I personally had Anthony Johnson Jr. graded as a 4th or early 5th-round pick.  Imagine my surprise as I was shopping with my wife and kids on day 3 of the draft and my brother texted me that in round 7 the Packers just selected him. I can still remember responding "Really? I thought he'd go in the 4th or 5th round!" The common thought is to think perhaps you were wrong on your "grade."  But I didn't think so, he was at a smaller school in Iowa State, but he was a team captain with 54 starts, and I felt he was a very intelligent safety who wasn't afraid of contact, could change direction on a dime, and he shows patience in coverage, so I was sold on the Cyclone Safety. The Packers felt the same, as his playing time, though brief, is an indicator despite the 7th-round pick status. But I see much of the same in second-round selection, Javon Bullard. 

Great route anticipation, above-average football intelligence, patience in reaction while in coverage, attacks blockers and ball carriers, sounds a little familiar doesn't it? That's a short description of Javon Bullard whom the Packers drafted in the second round. I said above that the Packers don't care where you were drafted, they make you earn your spot regardless, but often draft position can break a close race. It doesn't take high intelligence to understand the larger investment may have the benefit of a tiebreaker. Javon Bullard played more of a backup role in OTA's on Tuesday, but many think he could be a perfect compliment to Xavier McKinney. They both play a similar game and Bullard has the nickel corner experience to drop into the slot in the event Jeff Hafley prefers more single-high safety sets. We all know that "versatility" is the word Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur dream about when they go to bed, so if Bullard shows he can handle the duties in camp and preseason, the job could be his right out of the gate. 

Evan Williams and Kitan Oladapo I see being more role players than every down safeties. Williams is an excellent box safety who is a hunter. I could see him dropping in the box at times while McKinney is back in single-high, as Williams is great at tracking the ball carrier and had a good rate of QB pressure to sack conversion in college. His speed may be a knock against him for being the true "guy" but he could still make a case. Oladapo could be more of a nickel corner if you ask me. He does a good job of pressuring the QB if sent in, and he also is great at tracking receivers in motion. Again, I'm not sure about the full-on starting spot next to Xavier McKinney, but there could be a small case with time. 

My Prediction

The Safety position opposite Xavier McKinney isn't just a spot to play football in the NFL. Under Jeff Hafley, I believe the Packers are going to see a big change in the quality of their secondary. On Tuesday McKinney said that he watches practice film as soon as practice ends so he can relay what he sees to other DBs and they can get ahead of post-practice meetings. As I said before, we not only have a premiere player in the Safety position now but a team leader who wants his teammates to be on the same level he is. 

Though I believe Anthony Johnson Jr. will be a close second, I think Javon Bullard is going to take the other Safety position. Draft stock may help my opinion a bit but I think if there's someone to benefit from McKinney's tutelage and translate to the field, it's going to be Bullard. 

Regardless of who takes the position in week 1, I'm excited for the future of the Packers' Safety position and can't wait to see how it can help take what has been a dismal defense these last few years and turn it into a power house. 

 

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Greg Meinholz is a lifelong devoted Packer fan. A contributor to CheeseheadTV as well as PackersTalk. Follow him on Twitter @gmeinholz for Packers commentary, random humor, beer endorsements, and occasional Star Wars and Marvel ramblings.

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Comments (24)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
LLCHESTY's picture

May 22, 2024 at 12:28 pm

Williams tied for 2nd in sacks by a DB last year, had 16 pressures(6 sacks) in 52 rush attempts over the last three years and had a 92 pass rush grade from PFF last year. I think they reached for him a bit and I think his blitzing ability was why. He played for 4 different DCs in 5 years and he said he has knowledge of what Hafley wants to run, he just needs to learn the terminology.

He might not be the starter but I think he'll get snaps in certain situations and get opportunities to go after the QB. He's already had a sack fumble on some QB named Caleb Williams.

https://x.com/BookOfEli_NFL/status/1784287415105991148?t=nRO287r-c26Prq_...

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LambeauPlain's picture

May 23, 2024 at 07:14 am

I feel the same way...Williams is nothing if not disruptive. He seems like a box S to me. Loves to be on the attack and does so under control with good reads at the snap.

Bullard can definitely play there. Although his skillset more closely aligns with Xavier.

I will not count out Johnson Jr. I expect he showed up to camp ready to play...he seems a guy who is always sharpening the saw.

The empty S room is now full. Hafley and his DB coaches have many options. Could be the Packers play 3 Safeties more often that CBs in Nickel depending on specific opponent matchups.

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splitpea1's picture

May 22, 2024 at 12:48 pm

I'm putting nearly all my chips on Bullard. You know the Packers would like him to develop quickly, and I think he will. I'm really not sold on Johnson, Jr. at this point because of the lack of experience and high missed tackle rate, so drafting a couple of additional prospects on Day 3 made a lot of sense.

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D_Dave_Wittmann's picture

May 22, 2024 at 12:54 pm

In my lifetime, I can recall chomping at the bit for Reggie White!

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TKWorldWide's picture

May 22, 2024 at 03:30 pm

That was HUGE. I remember it very clearly:
“Reggie, this is god. Sign with the Packers.” Ha!

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fthisJack's picture

May 23, 2024 at 06:43 am

I was champing for Charles Woodson and it was the best signing since Reggie.

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CoachJV's picture

May 22, 2024 at 01:56 pm

I'm sorry, but if Anthony Johnson Jr couldn't climb up the ladder against the Safeties we had last year, there's no way he's going to climb it against this young group. I don't see it happening. I'm thinking Bullard will eventually get the spot, but there will be a "committee" back there with Xavier until one of them separates themselves.

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Johnblood27's picture

May 23, 2024 at 07:58 am

...and THAT take is why you are, and always will be, only a JV coach.

Ever hear of "development"? Don't rule it out.

I'm not saying that AJ Jr is the leader in the clubhouse or anything, but he has a chance just like the 3 rooks. He was far from a finished product with only 1 year as a S at Iowa State, previously a CB. He has room for improvement and he just may. Let's see what happens on the field.

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CoachJV's picture

May 23, 2024 at 08:17 am

That's almost as hilarious as it stupid...

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Johnblood27's picture

May 23, 2024 at 08:22 am

Thanks for confirming your lifetime appointment at the JV level.

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T7Steve's picture

May 23, 2024 at 08:27 am

It's camp.

Everything and everyone are fresh and starting over. Look at the bright side.

I know I'm not very smart, but I'd like just a tiny bit of respect for my comments and feedback.

It was probably out of line to say you were stuck as a JV coach too, when that has to be a very challenging and thankless job. If you don't start the kids out on the right track it takes a long time to get it right even if you don't lose some of them,

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dobber's picture

May 22, 2024 at 02:15 pm

" No matter their draft position or the hype that might be behind them, the Packers usually don't hand rookies anything."

The Packers in recent memory haven't been afraid to put rookies on the field, so it really depends on what you mean by "handing it to them." In most cases, those guys played because there was precious little to keep them on the bench...which seems to be true of the S position. AND, if they're going to play 4-2-5 with any regularity, there are going to be plenty of packages where the 5 is a safety...and I'd argue that Williams and Oladapo fit that 5 role.

But I think Bullard runs with the 1s from the start of camp and doesn't let the job go.

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T7Steve's picture

May 22, 2024 at 02:26 pm

Is that your projected projection? LOL.

Isn't it kind of hard to get serious about lineups 2 practices into OTAs?

I just want these guys to all take their lumps in camp and learn. I want them to even push the vet starters.

My favorite saying to new hires is "if you don't want to take my job, you aren't doing me any good." Of course now it seems it's hard to see someone that even wants MY job. HA!

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Johnblood27's picture

May 23, 2024 at 08:00 am

I'm coming for your job, and I WILL have it!!!

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T7Steve's picture

May 23, 2024 at 08:31 am

Great. That works right into my plans. I'm trying to be semi-retired. For me that means trying to work only 40 hours a week.

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Leatherhead's picture

May 22, 2024 at 03:36 pm

My prediction is that McKinney will miss some time with injury, and we'll be lining up two rookie safeties. The good news is that next year, none of these guys will be rookies; the bad news is that right now they all are.

Bullard is an athletic stud who played against high level offenses in college. I agree with dobber that he'll run with the 1s from the start.

I'm still thinking the Packers bring in a veteran at safety before camp. Rudy Ford played well for us last year, and he wouldn't be expensive, and there are many others who would compete with the rookies for a spot on the 53.

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LLCHESTY's picture

May 22, 2024 at 03:58 pm

They aren't keeping 6 safeties on the roster and won't be cutting any of the rookies. My guess is they'd rather have the upside of AJ Jr than Ford right now. I was hoping they'd sign Ford before the draft, he was the best safety on the team last year, but after picking three there's not room left for him unless there's an injury in camp.

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Leatherhead's picture

May 23, 2024 at 12:20 am

They'll probably keep 5, and we could easily stash one of our Day 3 rookies on the PS. Somebody could get hurt in Training Camp. They won't keep six on the 53, but we're a long way from the 53 yet and IMO, we could use a vet to help work with the rookies.

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Johnblood27's picture

May 23, 2024 at 08:01 am

Oladapo could easily slide to the ILB room.

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LeotisHarris's picture

May 22, 2024 at 06:15 pm

To chomp is to chew food noisily. To champ means to bite or grind your teeth impatiently. Champing at the bit refers to a horse that has been bridled and wants to run, but must stand while its rider gets ready.

I know I should of let it go, but sometimes you just need to hone in on things like this irregardless of the affects.

#TheMoreYouKnow

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T7Steve's picture

May 23, 2024 at 07:17 am

You're the chompion!

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Johnblood27's picture

May 23, 2024 at 08:02 am

My poor Leotis, your point is mute...

LOLOLOL!!!!!

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stockholder's picture

May 23, 2024 at 07:18 am

if Bullard isn't there.
Savage 2.0 is.
Regardless the list is a long one since 2010

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Johnblood27's picture

May 23, 2024 at 08:03 am

We should have drafted a rookie to fill your spot on CHTV...

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