Three recent mock drafts all have the Green Bay Packers getting Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry at No. 25 overall in the first round of the 2024 draft.
Mock drafts from Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire, Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda and Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports paired the Packers with McKinstry, who started three seasons at Alabama and measures 5-11 and 199 pounds.
Pauline called McKinstry a “terrific cornerback who fits the Packers’ scheme.”
McKinstry is recovering from a Jones fracture in his foot, but it’s expected he will be 100 percent for training camp.
Here’s Wilson on McKinstry to Green Bay: “The Packers have a history of only drafting defensive players in the first round, so I’m not going to break tradition here; Alabama thinks Kool-Aid McKinstry has legit NFL cover skills — the only question will be his deep speed — and he answered those questions at his pro day when he ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash. Added bonus: he can be an asset in the return game, too.”
The Packers could target a cornerback in the first round to pair with Jaire Alexander long term, but it’s worth noting that the team will return Eric Stokes and Carrington Valentine, two players they believe are capable of starting. And Keisean Nixon (starter in the slot) and Corey Ballentine (six-game starter in 2023) both returned on new deals. But cornerback is a premium position and ensuring the long-term quality is probably a priority for general manager Brian Gutekunst as the Packers transition to Jeff Hafley’s new defense.
Pro Football Focus ranks McKinstry — a two-time All-American — as the site’s No. 23 overall prospect. The 21-year-old allowed only 19 receptions last season and gave up a passer rating of under 80.0 into his coverage during each of the last three seasons at Alabama.
While McKinstry lacks experience in the slot, he was a lockdown cornerback on the outside for Nick Saban. Last season, he forced 10 incompletions on only 39 targets and didn’t have a penalty, per PFF.
Here’s Packers Wire draft analyst Brennen Rupp on McKinstry: “McKinstry plays with the mentality of a 10-year veteran. He never looks sped up or out of control. He’s calm, cool and collected. He’s a well-balanced athlete with coordinated feet to mirror to stay hitched to the wide receiver’s hip pocket. According to Pro Football Focus, the Alabama cornerback has only given up two receptions of 30-plus yards the past two seasons.”
Over 42 career games, McKinstry produced 92 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, two interceptions and 25 pass breakups. He missed only nine tackles, per PFF.
