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The first round of the 2024 NFL Draft has sent the first 32 players of this year’s class to their new homes, but Alabama Crimson Tide cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry remains on the board heading into Day 2. McKinstry is one of the best remaining players and is likely to get nabbed in the second round. He spent three years at Alabama and stood out in 2022 and 2023 in particular, amassing 53 total tackles, one interception, and 22 defended passes in his final two seasons. He earned first-team All-American honors in 2023.
Kool-Aid McKinstry: Scouting Report
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein breaks down McKinstry’s strengths in coverage and ability to accelerate to close a route:
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.
Mock Draft landing spots
Mel Kiper had McKinstry landing with the Ravens in the first round in his pre-draft mock, but now that the CB has fallen to the second, it seems more likely that he will end up elsewhere. Zierlein has McKinstry going to the Patriots with the second pick of the second round — ahead of Cooper DeJean — and The Athletic’s Dane Brugler sends him to the Carolina Panthers with the 39th overall pick.