Pro Football Focus' Thomas Valentine predicted cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry will take the biggest step forward of any cornerback in the league next year. Valentine made an All-Breakout Team composed of players at each position who will improve the most.
In 2024, the team drafted Ga'Quincy "Kool-Aid" McKinstry in the second round. He had an outstanding rookie season, taking over as the Saints' CB2 following Paulson Adebo's injury and Marshon Lattimore's trade to the Washington Commanders. In his rookie campaign, he gathered 42 total tackles and had six passes defended with a PFF grade of 66.1. That's 52nd out of 128 cornerbacks.
Kool-Aid McKinstry ready to step into CB1 role?
With Adebo heading up north to join the Giants and Alontae Taylor expected to see the field on the inside and outside, McKinstry has become the team's de facto top cornerback.
The second-year man says that the opportunity for the top role is a blessing and is ready to put in the work."Thanks to God for it. Ima embrace the opportunity and everything I have to do for this team, for this unit, for this defense." McKinstry said during minicamp.
Saints new system is similar to what McKinstry played at Alabama
Brandon Staley, who will take over as defensive coordinator, will implement a new defensive scheme that is comparable to the one he utilized during his time at Alabama. That's something that makes McKinstry confident for the 2025 season.
"I feel like I fit good in this one. It's the same type of deal (that they had at Alabama), so hopefully I can make the same type of plays I was making there." McKinstry said during mini camp.
At Alabama, McKinstry played in 42 games for the Crimson Tide, gathering 93 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and 23 passes defended. He was a two-time All-SEC player in 2022 and 2023 and a consensus first-team All-American in 2023. If he can channel that while building on top of his rookie season, there should be no reason to disagree with the PFF prediction.