We proceed our 2024 NFL Draft evaluation of draft prospects that might curiosity the Dallas Cowboys. Today we’re cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (Alabama).

Kool-Aid McKinstry
Cornerback
Alabama Crimson Tide
Junior
5-star recruit
Height- 6’1”
Weight- 195 lbs

History:
Kool-Aid McKinstry, or additionally identified by his actual title, Ga’Quincy McKinstry, was given a five-star recruit score by 247 Sports and was the primary cornerback prospect coming into school. As such, he had 27 affords earlier than opting to play for Alabama, which was his residence staff being from Birmingham and dwelling solely 50 miles from campus.

McKinstry was given the nickname “Kool-Aid” by his grandmother when he was born. According to McKinstry, she thought his smile resembled that of the Kool-Aid Man. When McKinstry began enjoying soccer in highschool, he selected to play as Kool-Aid, from there the title caught.

During his freshman yr in 2021, he performed in 11 video games. He began as a rotational participant however by the point Alabama had reached bowl season and the playoffs, he was enjoying as a starter. He performed 479 snaps, making 26 tackles (one for a loss), one sack and one interception.

During his sophomore season, McKinstry began all 13 video games for Alabama in 2022 and performed a complete of 812 snaps on protection. He made 35 tackles, one interception and 15 passes defensed. He allowed a completion price of solely 46%, and a passer a score allowed of solely 57.9, second-best within the SEC amongst beginning cornerbacks.

In 2023, McKinstry began in all 14 video games for Alabama, which included the Rose Bowl within the school soccer playoffs. He performed a complete of 848 snaps on protection and made 32 tackles, two tackles for a loss and 7 cross breakups. He allowed a completion price of 48% and a passer score of 73.1.

2023 Statistics:
848 Total snaps
482 Coverage snaps
32 Total Tackles
2 TFL
7 PBU
73.1 Rating

NFL Combine/Pro Day:
TBD

Awards:
All-SEC first staff (2023)
All-SEC second staff (2022)

Scorecard:
Overall- 95.2/100
Tackling- 80/100
Run Defense- 86/100
Zone- 87/100
Press- 94/100
Playmaking- 94/100
Speed- 93/100
Strength- 83/100
Acceleration- 95/100
Agility- 98/100

THE GOOD:

• The most evident constructive trait if you watch McKinstry’s tape is his athleticism. He has nice velocity, agility and explosiveness.
• Long arms and superb size to go up and high-point the ball to make a play.
• An elite lateral mover and a pure at staying in-phase.
• Very oily and unfastened hips
• Elite foot quickness which helps him in man protection.
• Very good route recognition.
• Willing to come back down and throw himself on the ball provider on run protection.
• Has expertise as a returner and carried out at a excessive stage.

THE BAD:

• Struggles to reroute receivers at occasions. Most frequent theme to this drawback is his ft placement and depth of positioning.
• Can be inconsistent as a tackler, however he did get higher in his junior yr.
• Will lose monitor of the ball on deep passes.
• Faster receivers stack him vertically at occasions. He’s in a position to get away with it in school and get well, however on the NFL stage this might pose an issue.
• Has moments of hesitation to show the burners on.

THE FIT:
Kool-Aid McKinstry is an elite athlete that’s lockdown when in press man. He has the velocity and quickness to play as a slot nook however he has the abilities to play at outdoors cornerback from day one. His power can generally be a detriment when in run protection as he struggles to get off blocks when coming all the way down to make a sort out or on display performs.

He’s not but an entire participant. He wants to enhance his approach, totally on deep passes the place he can provide up the play or get caught being to handsy resulting in flags.

McKinstry is a flexible defender the place groups have the choice to play him the place they see match. He’s additionally versatile in what scheme he can play, this offers him big upside. Overall, McKinstry is among the high beginning cornerbacks on this yr’s draft and can look to take a beginning position in his rookie yr.

COMPARISON:-
Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans

GRADE:
Mid first-round

CONSENSUS RANKING:
18th
(Consensus rating primarily based on the common rating from 90 main scoring providers)