Our focus for today will be on Kool-Aid McKinstry, the cornerback for Alabama.
Here is a closer look at the top players that the Ravens are projecting to select with pick No. 30 in the 2024 NFL Draft as the team gets closer to the draft.
The pipeline of talent from Alabama to Baltimore never seems to run out, and the Ravens are constantly looking for corners. Despite his small stature (5 feet 11 inches, 196 pounds), McKinstry is a very confident player who plays with stickiness in coverage. Due to his high football IQ and his flawless record from his true freshman season, McKinstry played in Nick Saban’s defense from the beginning.
Despite his injuries, he pleased scouts during his Pro Day by running a 4.47 40-yard dash, and he is anticipated to be ready for training camp to begin. However, he will soon need foot surgery. General Manager Eric DeCosta hinted at picking a corner early during his pre-draft press conference, and McKinstry would add extra skill at a crucial position.
Athletes that are more slick than twitchy are what media scouts see in McKinstry, who has only two career interceptions. McKinstry is not in the top 25 in the majority of mock drafts, and it looks like the sweet spot for him is between No. 25 and No. 32. McKinstry is now squarely in the Ravens’ league.
McKinstry might be taken by the Lions at No. 29. However, it appears like the Packers (ranked No. 25), Buccaneers (ranked No. 26), Cardinals (ranked No. 27), and Bills (ranked No. 28) have more pressing needs than cornerbacks, which may leave McKinstry available to Baltimore.
“McKinstry rides the inner release from the press and matches the outer release with patience and poise. To avoid downfield penalties, McKinstry, like the majority of college corners, will need to convert some of his open-field hand usage into excellent footwork. Despite his lack of creativity and more of a pure cover player, McKinstry’s calmness, intellect, and athleticism should help him develop into a capable outside corner with scheme flexibility.” – NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein
“McKinstry is an agile, fluid cornerback with a mediocre play pace. He keeps his hands low during press interviews and plays defensively rather than offensively. When he opens up, he is not constricted. When pushed vertically, there are some worries about his deep speed. He is smooth in everything he does from off coverage, but he lacks urgency and quickness. Both in front of him and down the field, he can locate and play the ball proficiently. When it comes to participating in the run game, he isn’t very aggressive, but he is a dependable tackler in space. All things considered, Kool-Aid is quite commendable. Even though he isn’t the fastest cornerback, his pro day speed demonstrated enough to boost his stock.
