Ga'Quincy "Kool-Aid" McKinstry will be heading into his second season in the NFL. If he can avoid the dreaded Sophomore slump and become a true #1 corner in the league, that would be the New Orleans Saints best-case scenario at cornerback
Paulson Adebo, who was drafted by the Saints in 2021, did not re-sign with New Orleans following the 2024 season. Instead, he signed with the New York Giants on a three-year, $54 million contract. His departure is sure to have left a void, as in all of his NFL seasons but 2022, he led the team in interceptions.
The Saints traded Marshon Lattimore to the Commanders midway through last season. That was a significant change, as Lattimore has arguably been the face of the defense ever since winning ROTY in 2017. Whenever he was on the field, half of it was effectively gone. Although in the last year or so, his skill has seemingly been on the decline.
Kool-Aid McKinstry's familiarity with the Saints new defensive scheme could lead to a sophomore surge
Alontae Taylor is expected to embrace more of the slot in 2025, and with Adebo and Lattimore gone, that leaves the Saints without a true CB1. That leaves Kool-Aid McKinstry as the expected top cornerback for the 2025 season.
But fans shouldn't worry; in his rookie season last year, he was one of the top rookies at his position, gathering 42 tackles and six passes defended in 15 games played. And under this new coaching staff, he should have a huge sophomore season.
All of McKinstry's skills have the potential to explode under defensive coordinator Brandon Staley's new defense, which is similar to the one that he had in college. Coming out of Alabama, he was a highly sought-after cornerback. Over three years in Tuscaloosa, McKinstry played 42 games for the Crimson Tide, gathering 62 tackles, 23 passes defended, two interceptions, and two sacks. In 2022, he was fourth in the nation and led Alabama with 15 defended passes.
McKinstry becoming a true lead corner can transform the defense
For opposing offenses, a true lead corner takes away half of the field, with quarterbacks rarely throwing their way. So if McKinstry is able to become that elite cornerback, he could help the Saints defense reach the next level. The best example of this is when former Saints CB Marshon Lattimore was in his prime. In the years that Lattimore made the pro bowl (2017, 2019-2021), New Orleans had one of the best defenses in the league, ranking in the top 10 each time.
Kool-Aid McKinstry becoming an elite cornerback would also help out the offense greatly. He could take some pressure off the shoulders of the starting quarterback by not forcing them to reach the end zone on every single drive. The starting QB - whether that's Spencer Rattler or Tyler Shough - could have enough peace of mind to properly lead the offense.
