The Kool-Aid Man, Kool-Aid McKinstry Ohhhh Yeahhhh!

First Round Mock’s Thomas Coletta takes a close look at one of the consensus top prospects in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, Alabama’s cornerback (CB) Kool-Aid McKinstry.

Just about everyone knows who the Kool-Aid Man is (official mascot for the popular drink), and they will soon know who Kool-Aid McKinstry is too if they don’t already.

The 6-foot-1 corner out of Alabama is looking to be a top pick in next year’s draft, and he has the talent to at least be in that conversation.

Right now analysts all over the country are looking at this kid to go top 10 next year but let’s see if they’re right...

2022 Review

Last year McKinstry was a sophomore, and he had an impressive season on paper. This Alabama corner boasted an impressive 18 forced incompletions, and posted a 82.5 Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade, with a coverage grade of 81.2.

He also doubled as a dangerous punt returner putting up 332 yards in that role.

At his age, these are all very impressive stats to have, and if he can develop more and add onto this he will be a top 10 pick for sure.

Game film strengths/weaknesses

As I would watch his film I liked what I saw but would not say loved it.

Here’s the thing – – McKinstry can get lost on routes at times, and he’s not an extreme lockdown corner.

He is good in zone coverage, and can be a good ballhawk as shown with all those forced incompletions.

His film against Texas and LSU were pretty good in my opinion with some let ups in coverage, but those let ups could be considered miscommunications in the defense depending how they are viewed.

Strengths

I think he is a very good zone corner, and a good tackler in space.

He has a good sized NFL frame.

-62.3 QB rating when targeted.

He is a good press/man guy but I want more out of him in that area. He seems to have intelligence as a player with good instincts, which allows him to be a really good run defender.

Honestly, a team could line him up at free safety if needed.

Punt returner – – he is elite in this area which is also what makes him such an interesting prospect.

Weaknesses

He lacks top end speed which allows him to get beat deep a bit too often and can sometimes be a bit over aggressive trying to make plays.

I would not let him be one-on-one with a teams top receiver in the NFL right now.

He is still very raw. He has room for improvement.

What to expect in the 2023 college football season?

I expect McKinstry to solidify himself as a top corner in the draft and helping Alabama win many games, but I am not confident in him becoming THE top corner next year.

I am watching to see how his leadership skills evolve as well as his man/press coverage skills on the field. If he can improve in all of those areas he will be the top corner taken come next April. He should be an All American. Perhaps he will win the Jim Thorpe Award (Top Defensive Back Award). I also expect elite punt returning from him while being one of the best in the country.

2024 NFL Draft

Pro Comparison: Devin McCourty

I know people will say McCourty was a safety and I am aware of that, but McCourty was actually drafted out of Rutgers as a corner and transitioned to safety after his first year. They remind me of each other in terms of size, tackling, playing in zone and showing good awareness.

The differences are: I think McCourty was a bit more raw as a corner coming into the league, but a little faster when Patriots’ Head Coach Bill Belichick made him a Pro Bowler his rookie year.

Draft Grade: First-Round

I think McKinstry will be a solid player for the majority of his career. Perhaps, he will not be a superstar, but more of a role player like McCourty was in the right system.

Game Film Reviewed:

LSU ’22

Mississippi State ’22

Texas ’22

Bottom line

McKinstry is a really good player and should be a first round pick next April.

Thomas Coletta is an aspiring NFL General Manager and he’s a junior at Florida State University studying Sports Management. He is from Windermere, Florida and grew up a huge Patriots fan. He currently writes NFL Draft prospects articles on FirstRoundMock.com, and is hoping to get his name recognized.