49ers big board for 2020 NFL Draft: Bowl games edition

Pros:

• Versatile, can play free or strong safety and even as an extra linebacker
• Multi-talented. Can play in deep coverage, man coverage or as a blitzer
• Quick and strong enough to play man coverage on tight ends
• Great production at Alabama
• Great downhill player
• Wicked athlete who can use pace or strength depending on the situation

Cons:

• Not entirely comfortable playing in deep zone coverage, although he still plays well enough
• Tackling technique can be a bit questionable

San Francisco 49ers

As far as prospects go, there may be none better than Xavier McKinney. A player who’s like a Swiss Army knife for the Alabama defense, the 49ers could use him in a variety of different ways.

McKinney’s best attribute is his versatility. He can play either safety position or even some linebacker while working as a blitzer, man-to-man or zone-coverage guy.

McKinney has sometimes been a bit cautious in zone coverage, being a bit slow to diagnose plays, but he isn’t a liability in this area and will grow to be more comfortable. Still his best fit right away would be to use his man-to-man skills.

A great downhill player, too, McKinney plays with top aggression and uses his instincts well. He has five interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and 15 passes defended in only two years as a starter.

If there is one weakness to his game, it’s his tackling. He sometimes comes in too high which allows him to be knocked around or takes bad angles which make it harder to tackle. Proper technique will come in time.

Draft range: First round

An excellent prospect, San Francisco would regrettably have to probably lose in the Wild Card to have a shot at picking McKinney. If they do, it would give them a shot to nab the talented defensive back who could start right away.