The New Orleans Saints grabbed a top physical talent in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry is headed to The Big Easy, and he makes a solid secondary even more deep.
The former Alabama CB was a projected first-round pick. Instead, the Saints got him in the second round after trading up four spots.
"I'm going to the Saints!" ️
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 27, 2024
The moment it became a reality for Kool-Aid
@ChrisMcCulleyTV, @abc3340 pic.twitter.com/6agNp3az5i
It's clear that the cornerback was happy to get selected by New Orleans. These emotional calls are some of the best pieces of the draft process.
McKinstry said that he can play inside or outside for their defense. McKinstry is confident that he will make an impact quickly for the black and gold.
McKinstry said he's open to playing slot if there isn't an opening at outside corner #Saints
— Erin Summers (@ErinESummers) April 27, 2024
McKinstry was the fourth-ranked CB in the class, according to James Foster. He was his 27th-ranked overall player in the class. The Saints got the Alabama product at 41st overall.
Kool-Aid McKinstry brings a compelling mix to the table, and there's no doubting his ceiling at the next level. The kid shows up on tape, and those 16 defended passes in the SEC aren't a fluke – that's ball skills and anticipation converging. A couple of notes - his physicality in press, the knack for denying the deep ball, and fluidity in movement all pop off the screen. Kid’s got the tangible stuff you can’t coach, but he’s got a few technique refinements ahead to shine against the pros.
Versatility is where McKinstry could pay dividends for a lot of NFL schemes. He’s shown the ability to switch it up, playing both outside and sliding into the slot without missing a beat. His reactive athleticism gives him a leg up, but that transition from college to dealing with NFL route trees and seasoned wideouts will test those skills. He's got the motor, but how it fires against NFL-caliber receivers is the real query. -- NFL Draft Buzz
McKinstry can also play a role in the return game on special teams alongside Rashid Shaheed.
All in all, the match between McKinstry and the Saints seems like a match made in heaven. The first two days have been great to New Orleans in the 2024 draft.
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