The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Green Bay Packers have cornerstone pieces in place on the defensive side of the ball. Kenny Clark, Jaire Alexander, and Rashan Gary are all 26 years old or younger.
With those three pillars in place, Brian Gutekunst needs to continue to add supplemental pieces around them.
Who will be the starting safeties for the Packers in 2023? Adrian Amos is set to be a free agent following the 2022 season. Is Darnell Savage Jr in Green Bay’s long-term plans after a disappointing 2021 season?
With those two players possibly on their way out in the near future, it’s a safe bet Gutekunst seeks to find a replacement for one or both of them in the upcoming draft.
A player that Gutekunst could target on day two of the 2022 NFL draft is Verone McKinley III. The Oregon safety checks in at No. 94 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.
The Ducks have a rich history of producing NFL defensive backs. T.J. Ward, Patrick Chung, Jevon Holland, Jairus Byrd, Alex Molden, and Chad Cota highlight that group. McKinley is the next in line.
In 2019, McKinley tied for the Pac-12 lead in interceptions (4) and added six pass deflections. In a shortened season, McKinley recorded one interception and three pass deflections in 2020.
McKinley was all over the field for the Ducks this past season. The former four-star recruit recorded 78 tackles, one tackle for loss, six interceptions, and 12 pass deflections.
“Verone bestowed the nickname ‘The General’ on himself, and he earned it with his play on the field in 2021,” Rob Moseley, the editor for GoDucks.com said. “He was the leader of Oregon’s defense on the back end, both vocally and as a playmaker.
He tied for the FBS lead on the season with those six interceptions and was second on our team – and second among Pac-12 defensive backs – with 77 tackles. Of the five ‘major’ college all-America teams, he was first-team on three and second-team on the other two, becoming one of just 10 consensus all-Americans in the history of the Oregon football program. He was also a finalist for the Thorpe Award as the nation’s best defensive back. In short, he had one of the best seasons of any defensive back in the country, and one of the best seasons of any defensive back in UO football history.”
The first thing that jumps out about McKinley’s game is his ball production. He’s a ballhawk and certified playmaker.
McKinley recorded 11 interceptions and 21 pass deflections during his three-year career at Eugene.
McKinley has natural ball skills. The Oregon safety looks like a wide receiver at the catch point. If it’s in his zone he’s going to make a play on the ball.
What allows McKinley to make so many plays on the ball is his range and instincts. McKinley has a high football IQ and is a true student of the game. He shows great pattern recognition and does an excellent job of reading the quarterback’s eyes. McKinley has great burst and times it up perfectly to break up passes.
“Verone is close friends with Miami Dolphins rookie Jevon Holland, a fellow 2018 recruit at Oregon, and they have a similar knack for being ballhawk,” Moseley said. “That said, how they go about it is a little different. It seems to come easy for Jevon; he exudes a natural sense of anticipation and athleticism that allows him to be in the right place at the right time. This isn’t to suggest he doesn’t also do his homework. But with Verone, it’s all about his preparation. He’s so good at putting in the film study, learning tendencies, and then knowing within the flow of a game what to expect.”
In coverage, McKinley has a loose lower body and does a good job of maintaining leverage. He has the short-area quickness and footwork to be a candidate to play in the slot at the next level.
When McKinley does get beat in coverage he’s like a goldfish. He has a five-second memory. After getting beat, it’s a safe bet that it won’t happen the rest of the game. Moseley said McKinley’s greatest strength is his ability to wipe the slate clean after giving up a play in coverage.
“Verone is just so poised, on and off the field,” Moseley said. “He wants to be an analyst in the media when he’s done playing, and he’s found the time to create a bunch of opportunities while at Oregon to get experience in that field. He’s able to do that while also juggling football and school because of his time management skills.
Another sign of his maturity is how honest he is with himself about areas where he can grow. In his first college game, he was in coverage for the game-winning touchdown by Auburn in Oregon’s 2019 season opener. He took that in stride, learned from it, and made sure he was better prepared for future opportunities. We saw the results of that in the fall of 2021 as he earned all-America status.”
As a run defender, McKinley comes downhill in a flash. He’s willing to dish out punishment and it’s part of his game that continued to get better each season at Eugene.
“Where Verone was elite in 2021 was roving around the secondary, disrupting the passing game,” Moseley said. “That said, he’s not afraid to come up and throw his body around at the line of scrimmage.”
Fit with the Packers
McKinley’s presence would allow Joe Barry to deploy Savage at the Star position and allow McKinley to patrol the backend of Green Bay’s defense.
In the long-term McKinley has the playmaking ability to be a potential pillar in Green Bay’s defense. In the short term, McKinley would allow Barry to be creative with how he utilizes Amos and Savage. He also has the special teams experience to be a hired gun on coverage units.
“He’s a guy you can depend on to handle his business day in and day out,” Moseley said. “When the opportunity presents itself he’s a proven playmaker as well.”
McKinley is a day two pick. With his ball skills, range, and instincts, McKinley projects as a difference-maker at the next level.