The 2024 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Kool-Aid McKinstry 2024 NFL Draft Profile.
Position: Cornerback
School: Alabama
Size: 6-foot-1, 195 pounds
Class: Junior
2023 stats: 32 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 0 interceptions, 7 passes defended
McKinstry created an impact for Alabama early and often in his three-year college career. Now he is in the 2024 NFL Draft.
As a five-star prospect in the class of 2021, McKinstry stayed in-state to play for Alabama. He immediately played a lot, registering 26 total tackles, one interception and one pass defended. McKinstry was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team and helped the Crimson Tide 13 games and make the College Football Playoff. He was a full-time starter in 2022, increasing his production with 35 total tackles, one interception and 15 passes defended. McKinstry was a big part of a team that won 11 games. In 2023, McKinstry totaled 32 tackles and seven passes defended. He led the Crimson tide to a 12-win season and a College Football Playoff appearance following the season.
Following the Rose Bowl, McKinstry declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. He is currently projected to be a first or second-round pick.
McKinstry is a good athlete in a few different ways. He has good quickness and burst, which helps him start the play right and break on the ball. McKinstry has good agility and smooth hips. He has good leaping ability as well.
He displayed good ball skills throughout his career. McKinstry tracks the ball well in the air and then attacks the catch point. He is aggressive in breaking up passes, highpointing the football when needed. It would look better if he had more interceptions, but teams stopped targeting him a lot in 2023.
In man coverage, McKinstry demonstrates the ability to mirror receivers well. His fluid hips and good agility help him stay with breaks in routes. He can be trusted on routes that break quickly or even longer-developing plays.
There are some questions about McKinstry’s long speed. He did give up some big plays and struggled to stay with receivers that ran go-routes. McKinstry will need to trust his technique to stay with receivers and could need safety help over the top.
McKinstry can be physical in his coverage, but he also goes too far. He is grabby when receivers get a step on him deep and when they have breaks in their routes. McKinstry will get flagged for this at the NFL level if he doesn’t clean it up.
His run support leaves a lot to be desired. He could shed better and make more of an effort to go after the ball carrier. McKinstry could tackle better too. Teams looking for someone who will help against the run may have other corners higher on their boards.
Projected Draft Range: First Round Pick-Second Round Pick
Draft Grade: Second Round Pick
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