Earlier this offseason, New Orleans Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry was laid out how his number one rule this offseason was growth. Well, just a few practices into training camp, the now three-year NFL veteran has has shown that he's followed that rule to a tee.
McKinstry has hit the ground running this summer, gathering multiple pass breakups through the first handful of training camp practices. That's not the only thing that he has shown improvement in, either.
In the few days of training camp, and really this whole offseason, his leadership has also grown tremendously. A role that's almost desperately needed on the defensive side of the ball due to offseason departures, it's one that the former second-round pick has really grown into. From dapping up teammates to game-planning with team captains from last year, don't be surprised if McKinstry has a C on his chest for the first time in his NFL career.
Kool-Aid McKinstry's Saints teammates have already taken notice of his year-three jump
The jump that McKinstry has made in his third season hasn't gone unnoticed by his teammates and coaches. In fact, it's one that both groups have been really impressed with as of late. He's actually been so impressive that he's being brought up in interviews unprompted, with Cam Jordan calling him a "true CB1."
After the first training camp practice Justin Reid reiterated how impressed he's been with the young cornerback. "Kool-Aid McKinstry is a baller, bro. From what he did in OTAs to what he’s doing today, I mean, it showed up again today," Reid said. "That cat is going to be something special, man; I’m excited about what he’s going to do this year."
McKinstry's head coach has been just as impressed as Reid and Jordan and has noticed a difference from last year. "First just physically, he's obviously taken advantage of this offseason tremendously. Secondly, I think just confidence from the way he finished last year, the way he played."
If that's how his peers feel after one practice, imagine what they'll say after an entire training camp. With that anticipation mixed with the year-three jump some NFL stars tend to have, McKinstry is bound to excite more than just his teammates and coaches. His stardom could honestly become league-wide at this rate.
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