As the anticipation builds for the 2024 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts find themselves in a crucial position to bolster their roster and address key needs. With an eye toward the future, the scouting process becomes paramount for the Colts’ front office. Today we take a closer look at Kool-Aid McKinstry.
Name: Kool-Aid McKinstry
Position: Cornerback
Recruiting Rank: 13th overall player nationally
High School: Pinson Valley
College: Alabama
Games Played: 36
Captain: No
Measurables
Height: 6010E
Weight: 195E
40 Yard: TBD
10 Yard: TBD
Arm Length: TBD
Hand Size: TBD
Vertical: TBD
3 Cone: TBD
Broad Jump: TBD
Bench: TBD
Position Specific
Positives in Pass Game:
- Smooth press-man corner winning with foot quickness
- Shows ability to mirror receivers without getting hands on them
- Good patience in trail technique
- Looks to jump underneath on in-breaker or underneath routes
- Maintains great body control
- Competitive at the catch point, fights for pass breakup or interception
- Effective blitzer with fearless attacking attitude
- Disruptive in blitzing situations
Negatives in Pass Game:
- Gives too much separation in trail technique
- Needs to activate speed sooner to stay closer in phase on vertical routes
- Needs to work on staying in position to locate the ball against consistent NFL quarterbacks
Positives in Run Game:
- Effective in run support
- Willing and effective tackler on the boundary
Negatives in Run Game:
- Inconsistent in securing his tackles
The Wrap-up
Summary:
Kool-Aid McKinstry is a skilled press-man corner known for his foot quickness and hip fluidity. He excels in staying on top of receivers and demonstrates two effective coverage techniques: maintaining position for cuts/breaks and employing the trail technique. McKinstry showcases fluid hips, excellent body control, and a competitive edge at the catch point, making him adept at contesting passes and securing interceptions. His game also features physicality, evident in his run support and effective tackling on the boundary. Additionally, McKinstry displays fearlessness and tenacity as a blitzer.
Despite his high-level athletic ability, McKinstry has areas for improvement. In the trail technique, he tends to give too much separation, creating opportunities for vertical receiver beats. This could pose challenges in the NFL where quarterbacks are more consistent, potentially leading to significant gains for accurate quarterbacks. McKinstry’s speed is an asset, but he needs to activate it sooner and stay closer to the receiver on vertical routes. Overall, his athletic attributes make him a great outside press-man corner, and he also possesses the tools to excel as a nickel corner at a high level.
Injury Concerns: McKinstry seems to have a clean bill of health despite receiving a concussion against Georgia in one of the final games of 2023.
Character/Off-Field Concerns: By all accounts, McKinstry is a great teammate and outstanding young man with a relentless work ethic.
Assigned Value: First Round
Projected Role: Pro Bowl Cornerback
Strong Points: Body Control, Athleticism, Ball Skills
Weak Points: Allows too much separation when using trail technique
Exposures: Texas (2023), Texas A&M (2023), LSU (2023)