New Orleans Saints select Kool-Aid McKinstry in second round of 2024 NFL Draft

Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry was selected by the New Orleans Saints with the No. 41 pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Saints secured the pick after making a trade with the Green Bay Packers.

In three years at Alabama, McKinstry finished with 93 total tackles, 62 solo tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions and 23 pass deflections. He was one of the top cover corners and forced teams to throw in the opposite direction.

As a member of the Class of 2021, McKinstry was a five-star recruit out of Pinson (Ala.) Valley, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 1 overall prospect in the state, the No. 1 cornerback in the class and the No. 17 overall prospect in the class.

McKinstry was a First-Team All-American in 2023 and a two-time First-Team All-SEC player in 2022 and ’23 while with the Crimson Tide.

McKinstry helped Alabama get to this year’s College Football Playoff at the Rose Bowl against eventual national champion Michigan.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Kool-Aid McKinstry

As far as what he’ll look like in the NFL, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared McKinstry to current CB AJ Terrell.

“Three-year starter and former five-star prospect with a quirky name and consistent game,” Zierlein wrote. “McKinstry is patient and well-groomed in matching the outside release and riding the inside release from press. He’s confident to handle business on an island and is able to stay in phase as the route travels vertically. He’s not overly fast but does play with plus acceleration to close out crossing routes or make aggressive plays on the catch point.

“As with most college corners, McKinstry will need to transition some of his open-field hand usage into quality footwork to avoid downfield penalties. He’s more aggressive in coverage than he is as a tackler and could find himself forced to prove his toughness in that area. McKinstry is more of a pure cover man than a playmaker, but his poise, intelligence and athleticism should lead him toward becoming a good outside corner with scheme versatility.”