I can’t get into Kool-Aid McKinstry’s game film in 12 games over the past two seasons. I just can’t.

The film doesn’t match the hype.

The rest of the draft community seems to be in love with this Crimson Tide corner. CBS, Sporting News, NBC Sports Philadelphia, NFL.com, The Athletic, Walter Football, USA Today, Pro Football Focus, Yahoo Sports, 33rd Team, 247 Sports, Draftwire, Newsday, Fox Sports, Barstool Sports, SBNation, Draft Kings, Bleacher Report and Pro Football Network have all tagged McKinstry with a first-round grade (nflmockdraftdatabase.com).

And that’s just since February 1.

Check this out ⎯after putting up one interception in 2022, he followed that up with no interceptions in 2023. His passes defended number dropped from 15 in 2022 to seven in 2023 (ESPN).

It took me until the second game in 2023 to find something positive to jot down in my notes.

BIG REP ⎯BIG NAME⎯BIG TIME PROGRAM ⎯BUT IT’S NOT ADDING UP

What’s the main problem

McKinstry is good at covering in a straight line (vertically or horizontally). He often manages to stay in phase with receivers (meaning he keeps up with them) and often manages to win with physicality (which isn’t always pretty, but it’s often effective).

The issues begin when receivers start quickly and suddenly changing direction at the route breakpoints. That’s where they lose him.

Scary ⎯because the NFL is filled with elite-level receivers who can cut on a dime and leave corners five cents change.

McKinstry has tightness in his hips.

That’s the last thing any scouting department wants to hear about cornerbacks. To play the position at a high level hip flexibility is almost a must (unless a corner is experienced and can compensate with top-shelf anticipation).

McKinstry doesn’t show that on film.

The stats confirm it.

This is not a franchise No. 1 corner

This draft cycle I am doing things differently. I’m looking at game film over two seasons at two different times (spread out period of time). I’m doing this to cross-check myself and when I am either up or down about a prospect, to be sure I’m seeing it right.

Listen, first-round franchise corners are playmakers and it shows up on film and it’s often confirmed by the stats (unless offenses don’t throw it at them).

🔓They’re throwing at McKinstry.

Per Pro Football Focus, McKinstry was in 482 coverage snaps, was targeted 39 times, and allowed 19 receptions for 205 yards this past season. In 2022, he was in 518 coverage snaps, was targeted 80 times, and surrendered 37 catches for 352 yards.

You’ve heard of a ‘lockdown corner,’ well let me introduce you to a new term I am coining in this article, ‘Unlocked corner.’

Sure, he gave up one touchdown in 2022 and one touchdown in 2023 (PFF), but the frightening part is in 2022 his passer rating was at 57.9% and that number jumped to a passer rating of 73.1% in 2023.

That’s the last thing you want to see as an evaluator ⎯evidence of a downward trajectory heading into the draft.

#1 Kool-Aid McKinstry 6-foot-1, 195 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 NFL Draft Grade: Third-Round (I wouldn’t select him)

Projected by 92.8% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of March 5, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Kool-Aid McKinstry [OVERRATED] (6 games evaluated)

2023 game film reviewed: LSU, Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, Ole Miss, and Georgia (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2023 stats: 32 tackles (24 solo) and 8 assists

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Competitive straight-line corner who is reluctant in support. Mostly press man. Some off-man and zone mixed in. Showed solid spacing and positioning in press. Opened his hips initially and maintained route leverage. Good job mirroring the initial release. Able to close fast downhill in a straight line when anticipating. At breakpoints, tends to use his hands to compensate for lack of flexibility. Excels staying in phase with deep go routes or end zone fades aided by space limitation and boundaries. Undependable tackler with inconsistent effort.

Final words

Average No. 2 corner in the NFL.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, contributes at Yardbarker, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.