New Orleans Saints defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (knee) suffered a knee injury in the team's preseason contest against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. The good news is that head coach Dennis Allen said that they think they avoided anything major. The exact injury to his knee hasn't been confirmed just yet, but it seems like he'll at least sit out of practice for a bit to make sure everything is healed. The Alabama product was the team's second-round pick in this year's NFL Draft and he's projected to get a good bit of work behind Marshon Lattimore to start the season as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks.
With the No. 41 pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Saints selected Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry. New Orleans traded with Green Bay for this pick, so the 21-year-old will fill a void on the defensive side of the ball. McKinstry, a 2023 All-American, played three seasons at Alabama. He totaled 93 tackles (62 solo), adding two picks, two sacks, and 23 passes defensed. With the Saints looking to finish atop the NFC South in 2024-25, McKinstry should play a pivotal role right out of the gate.
The Athletic's Bruce Feldman has the Jacksonville Jaguars selecting Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry with the 23rd overall pick in the first round of this year's NFL draft after trading back with the Pittsburgh Steelers. McKinstry was a three-year starter in a complex defensive system and has high intelligence with good leadership qualities. He's polished but not exactly a burner and is coming off a Jones fracture in one of his toes that required surgery this year. In his three years at Alabama, the 21-year-old defensive back had 62 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks and two interceptions. McKinstry was an All-American in 2023. "Really smart and savvy. Not as quick out of his break as Arnold. He uses his hands to make up for his feet. Will jump routes," one coach said.
During a medical examination at the 2024 NFL Combine, Former Alabama defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (foot) was found to have a Jones fracture in his right foot. He did not participate in on-field work, but he did participate in Alabama's Pro Day before having surgery to repair his injury. According to sources, doctors deemed his recovery from surgery to be on track and as expected. This is good news for the 2023 first-team All-American, and hopefully, it will keep his stock from falling. Over the last two seasons, McKinstry totaled 67 tackles, 22 passes defended, and one interception for the Crimson Tide. He also racked up over 400 yards as a punt returner. The 21-year-old is expected to be a late-first-round pick later this month.
Kool-Aid McKinstry
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Saints
