2022 NFL DRAFT PROSPECT REPORT
- Name: Verone McKinley
- Position: Safety
- School: Oregon
- Height: 5'11"
- Weight: 193lbs
Film Watched: Fresno State 2021, Ohio State 2021, UCLA 2020
Pro's:
- Instinctive safety who seems like he knows what’s coming on every snap
- Ultimate playmaker. 11 interceptions for Oregon, including 6 in his final season in Eugene
- Elite reader of route combos, and prioritises each threat to his zone
- Eye discipline is outstanding. Total observance of the outlets, but keeps tabs on the QB too
- Impressive short-area agility. Backpedals to landmarks smoothly, and lateral range is good
- Devastating click and close to the catch point, taking good angles to meet the football on time
- Forceful tackler who throws all his weight into contact. Not intimidated by bigger opponents
- Refuses to yield yards after the catch
Con's:
- Small, and lacks the true play strength to compete consistently with the bigger NFL receivers
- Lack of length will be more exposed at the next level in his tackling and ball skills
- Not a candidate for a role near the line of scrimmage. Outmatched physically
- Long speed isn’t sufficient to ride shotgun on deep threat receivers in man coverage roles
- Measurables raise durability concerns
The Verdict:
“Verone McKinley is a natural ball hawking safety whose understanding of the game is quite clearly superior to the other twenty-one players on the football field. The way he diagnoses plays quickly makes you think he’s got a copy of the opponent’s playbook in his head, and he has the quick-twitch and movement skills to get to where he needs to be and make plays. McKinley’s draft stock is limited due to his prohibitive size and length - not only will scouts be concerned about how competitive he can remain, but it also limits the roles in which he can operate. McKinley is undoubtedly best served in a high safety role, and putting him in a lot of two-deep schemes will negate any perceptions about his long speed. A candidate to outperform his draft range, McKinley is a playmaker who will turn heads in the NFL.”
Simon Carroll
Head Of NFL Draft Content
NFL COMPARISON: JORDAN WHITEHEAD
PREDICTION: 4TH ROUND PICK
5/5