ESPN recently dropped its top 10 cornerback rankings, and Kool-Aid McKinstry’s name wasn’t on the main list. He didn’t quite make the cut. Yet, the New Orleans Saints’ young defensive back is officially lingering on the periphery of elite status. The rankings, compiled by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler through votes from league executives, coaches, and scouts, listed McKinstry among the honorable mentions who received votes.
For a former second-round draft pick, this is progress. He is finally earning respect outside of Louisiana. He took a massive leap forward in his second professional season. That is a big deal for a Saints franchise desperate for young, cheap talent to build around.
McKinstry was a workhorse in 2025. He started all 17 games. He racked up 76 tackles, intercepted three passes, and broke up another 17. Pro Football Focus handed him a 71.4 coverage grade, placing him 27th out of 114 qualified cornerbacks. That put him in the top quarter of the league. This sudden reliability likely made it much easier for the front office to let Alontae Taylor walk in free agency.
His absolute peak came in Week 5 against the New York Giants. McKinstry single-handedly dismantled their passing game with two interceptions and three pass breakups, securing NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. It was a flash of brilliance on a Saints team that was otherwise struggling to find its footing early in the year.
“I’m a humble guy,” McKinstry said after that breakout game. “I keep my head down, I work, and I stay coachable. No award changes me.”
If he maintains that mindset, 2026 could be even bigger. Taylor is now in Tennessee, leaving a massive void for McKinstry to fill. If he turns in a Pro Bowl campaign, his agent, AJ Vaynerchuk, will likely be sitting down with the Saints’ front office next winter to hammer out a massive, life-changing contract extension.
