There are many players in the NFL who oftentimes don't make headlines or win any awards but still manage to be really impactful. Pro Football Focus' Zach Tantillo's believes New Orleans Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry is one of those players.
In fact, they called McKinstry one of their 32 secret superstars (one for each NFL team). "McKinstry logged a 71.4 PFF coverage grade, the highest mark on the Saints’ defense." Tantillo wrote. "His play down the stretch was borderline elite, but with the Saints out of playoff contention, his performance largely fell on deaf ears."
Tantillo continues, saying that from Weeks 10 through 18 (where the Saints finished 5-3), McKinstry posted an 83.8 PFF coverage grade, the fifth-highest figure in the NFL among cornerbacks. Only Seattle's Devon Witherspoon (85.1), Jacksonville's Jarrion Jones (87.4), Carolina's Mike Jackson (90.5), and Houston's Alijah Huzzie (91.1) had a higher grade.
Saints CB Kool-Aid McKinstry avoided a sophomore slump in 2025
McKinstry, who was drafted by the Saints back in 2024, managed to avoid the so-called "sophomore slump." Comparing his first season to his second, McKinstry gathered 34 more tackles, 11 more passes defended, and his first three career interceptions. That's something that couldn't have come at a more perfect time for the Saints, because they might lose cornerback Alontae Taylor in free agency.
If McKinstry can keep his form up, he could save New Orleans some time and money. Borderline elite in year two, an upward trajectory would put McKinstry as one of the best in the league in his position. With a real chance to be the top cornerback in New Orleans next year, McKinstry is a player to keep an eye on whenever the offseason training activities get started.
Luckily, he's not letting any of it get to his head. "I don't really get to high or too low; I just keep an even slate," Mckinstry said on the New Orleans Saints podcast. "I just keep my head down and grind and just dig deeper."