The New Orleans Saints’ passing defense was a strength for the team last year. The unit finished No. 4 in the league in passing yards allowed in 2025. A major reason for this success was a late-season surge across the unit, but in particular at cornerback.
Both corners Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley had strong performances spanning the second half of the season.
Continuing that momentum will be an important goal of their 2026 season. McKinstry, going into his third year, is on the precipice of becoming one of the league’s premier cornerbacks. In order to do so, he’ll have to continue to develop going into the important season.
With extension eligibility awaiting him on the other side of the 2026 year, a breakout season would be a career-defining performance for the former Alabama Crimson Tide cornerback.
With that opportunity ahead of him, McKinstry has the motivation for a strong 2026 season in which he can repeat a feat from last year while expanding his on-field impact and leadership footprint.
Kool-Aid McKinstry will lead the team in pass breakups this year.
McKinstry is going to match up with some of the best wide receivers in the NFL. From top-flight veterans like Minnesota Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson and Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase to young, ascending talents like New York Giants receiver Malik Nabers (assuming he’s healthy in time) and Arizona Cardinals pass-catcher Marvin Harrison Jr., McKinstry will face quite the gauntlet in 2026.
The corner’s calling card in college was forcing quarterbacks to look past the receivers he covered, but in the NFL, while matching up against top talent, the targets will eventually head his way. If he handles himself at the catch point in 2026 the way he did to close out 2025, McKinstry will quickly like up passes defended and pass breakups throughout the season.
Last year, he led the team in both categories. He had 17 passes defended and 12 pass breakups, the latter being when he physically knocks a football away with contact in the ball itself. Passes defended can be achieved in a variety of ways including disrupting eyeline of or making legal contact with the would-be pass-catcher.
Per Pro Football Focus, he also led the NFL in pass breakups while in zone coverage with nine.
He should see a decent volume of targets again this year, allowing him to repeat as the leader before the season closes out.
