Kool-Aid McKinstry makes his pitch to NFL teams interested in him

Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry looks like he’ll be one of the top picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. Ahead of that, he made his pitch to NFL teams considering him.

Following his Pro Day at Alabama, McKinstry explained that he feels like his value to NFL teams starts with his versatility.

“I just feel like I can do it all,” Kool-Aid McKinstry said. “Whether that’s playing corner or playing in the slot. I can move very well. I’ve got enough speed to guard whoever. Just me, my mentality, the way how consistent I am as an athlete, how consistent I am in my day-to-day life. It’s just different.”

Kool-Aid McKinstry was a First-Team All-American in 2023. He was also a First-Team All-SEC selection in 2022 and 2023. Over the course of his Alabama career, McKinstry played in 42 games. In those games, he had 93 total tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and 23 passes defended. He was also able to return punts for the Crimson Tide.

During Alabama’s Pro Day, McKinstry competed with a Jones Fracture in his foot. Despite that injury, he was still able to run under 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

That injury kept Kool-Aid McKinstry from competing for scouts at the NFL Combine. That made it important for him to go out and perform well at his Pro Day.

“It was very important for me to come out here and compete today, just to give my all and show what I’ve got. That’s what this is for. I know it was just tough for me, just the news I found out at the Combine, but I was still able to show what I’ve got and I feel good about it,” McKinstry said.

“My foot (feels) well, my foot really don’t hurt me at all to be honest with you guys. Having surgery Friday to get it fixed. It’ll be like a month of letting it heal, then it’ll be alright.”

Despite that, Cole Cubelic reported that McKinstry is going to need to have surgery on his foot at some point in the future due to this injury.

“He said the plan is to have surgery at some point down the road,” Cubelic said. “But he does want to run today. Said he went a couple of months in spring on this injury, didn’t know about it. Kept playing through it. That’s one of the things, I think, should be pointed out with Kool-Aid McKinstry, his toughness.”

In the latest NFL mock draft from Daniel Jeremiah, McKinstry is projected as the 29th overall pick to the Detroit Lions. Joel Klatt, as of now, is agreeing with Jeremiah and mocking McKinstry at 29th overall.