Verone McKinley III has aligned both to the field and boundary. He’s a good athlete, showing good agility and short-area quickness in coverage. In the run game, he has good tackling efficiency on the perimeter with receivers, easily limiting extra yardage upon contact. Against bigger running backs, he could be more effective as a sure wrap-up tackler. In the passing game, he is excellent due to his instincts and high-level ball skills. He understands route combinations and easily adjusts with motion, showing his high-level football IQ. This allows him to play the down and distance in situational football while using the coverage as protection. His range is sufficient and projects to be most effective in two-deep looks. He can cover in the slot in short stretches but this may not be a strength in the NFL. However, he is a playmaker at the position with ball skills.

Ideal Role: Safety, primarily in two-deep looks

Scheme Fit: Ideally suited in a heavy zone scheme but versatile enough to do it all

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Drae Harris

Games watched: USC (2020), UCLA (2021), California (2021), Fresno (2021), Stony Brook (2021), Utah (2021)

Best Game Studied: Stony Brook (2021)

Worst Game Studied: Utah (2021)

Football IQ: He has moments playing the game with good football IQ. He shows a good understanding of route combinations and down and distance. There are times where he will seemingly abandon responsibilities to go get the football, which can result in negative plays.

Tackling: He has good tackling efficiency overall. He easily limits extra yardage when out on the perimeter. He has had moments of not coming to balance and securing the wrap-up tackle in the run game.

Versatility: Although he can cover in the slot in short spurts, in my opinion, he lacks true versatility in this regard. He should remain aligned on the back end in dual-safety looks.

Range: He lacks true range on the back end. He is instinctive, which allows him to get in positions fairly quickly. However, he is best suited in dual-safety looks rather than as a single-high post player.

Ball Skills: See Above.

Run Defending: He has moments of good production as a run defender. He is especially good on the perimeter and easily limits yardage after the catch. I want him to be more consistent as a wrap-up tackler against bigger backs.

Functional Athleticism: He displays good functional athleticism. This is evident in his ability to leave his responsibilities to make a football play. He also shows his athleticism when he has man coverage responsibilities.

Competitive Toughness: He demonstrates moments of good competitive toughness. He competes hard in the passing game and also displays his toughness when coming down as a run defender.

Flexibility: See Above.

Special Teams: See Above. 

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 70.60/100 (Fifth Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 68.50/100

Marino Grade: 67.00/100

Harris Grade: 73.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 71.50/100

Parson Grade: 73.00/100