After closing out the 2025 season strong, the New Orleans Saints’ passing defense, which ranked No. 6 in yardage allowed last year, is looking to maintain its momentum going into this year.
One of the players that will be a core contributor to getting that done will be top cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry. The former Alabama Crimson Tide star led the NFL in pass breakups in zone coverage last year, per Pro Football Focus, but it was his ability to be disruptive at the catch point regardless of coverage that has inspired optimism going into the 2026 season.
“[McKinstry] is a ball guy in every sense,” said defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. “He really works at the game and people follow people that work the right way, and he’s improved a lot as a player. He’s poured a lot into his game, into his body, into his technique, and so I expect him to really shine in that way.”
Last year, McKinstry finished tied for the No. 7 spot in forced incompletion percentage (17%) among the 47 cornerbacks with at least 500 coverage snaps.
He has consistently proven, especially with his surge during the second half of the season, that he can win with the ball in the air and be disruptive, patient and composed when competing for it.
As New Orleans looks to bridge the gap from a strong finish in 2025 to a strong start in 2026, McKinstry will be relied upon to lead the way by continuing to produce at this high level. During the final eight games of the season, McKinstry’s 10 passes defended tied for the No. 2 ranking across every NFL defender.
Maintaining that momentum to start the season, especially against some talented quarterbacks to open the year, will be vital for New Orleans to pick up where it left off.
