Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
As one of the standout performers all throughout OTAs and minicamps, New Orleans Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry has continued his upward trajectory with an impressive training camp.
McKinstry, the new top cornerback in the position’s room, is right back at home in Brandon Staley’s defensive scheme.
“It’s very comfortable for me,” the second-year cornerback said of the new defense. “The plays, everything that we’re doing, the techniques… Everything is kind of the same that I learned for three years up under coach [Nick Saban]. And I trust coach Staley and [cornerbacks coach Grady Brown] at the highest level.”
The zone match and vision match techniques that the Saints corners will play under Staley are very similar, if not identical but with different verbiage, to what the Alabama Crimson Tide had some for many years with Saban at the helm.
Kool coverage 👋 pic.twitter.com/yOphQJoAdQ
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) July 30, 2025
That should put McKinstry at ease as he transitions into a full-time role as a starter. A transition he seems ready for, especially after seeing it all begin last season when former cornerback Paulson Adebo was injured and then again when corner Marshon Lattimore was traded away.
“It’s a blessing for the opportunity, first and foremost,” he said about moving into a larger role with the team during training camp. “[It’s] just stepping into the role of being a leader, making sure I’m doing the right things so the guys can follow behind. I feel like leading by example is the most important thing when being in this position.”
If McKinstry continues to set the example he’s setting now, that of a physical, fast and disruptive cornerback, the Saints will be in good shape on the boundary in 2025.
“This has been a big-time camp for Kool-Aid. He has played phenomenally.” pic.twitter.com/gfnz4bBBCx
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) July 30, 2025
