2024 NFL Draft: New Orleans Saints select Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
Alabama junior defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry was selected with the No. 41 overall pick (Round 2) in the 2024 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints, who traded up to make the pick, Friday. McKinstry was the fourth Crimson Tide player and fifth defensive back off the board.
In his second full year as a starter, McKinstry played in all 14 of Alabama’s games last season and finished his junior campaign with 32 tackles, including two tackles for loss, and seven pass breakups. McKinstry played in all 42 of the Tide’s games over the last three years and finished his college career with 92 tackles, 25 passes defended and two interceptions.
McKinstry was selected as a first-team All-American by both the Associated Press and Sporting News after the 2023 season while also garnering second-team All-America honors by the AFCA and Walter Camp Football Foundation. The year before as a sophomore, McKinstry was named a second-team All-American by the AFCA, FWAA and Sporting News.
A former 5-star recruit, McKinstry was considered the 17th-best prospect in the 2021 recruiting class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. The Birmingham, Alabama native was rated as the No. 1 cornerback and the No. 1 player from the Yellowhammer State in his recruiting cycle after leading Pinson Valley High School to three state titles in four years.
Alabama players taken in the 2024 NFL Draft
7. JC Latham, OT – Tennessee Titans
17. Dallas Turner, Edge – Minnesota Vikings
24. Terrion Arnold, CB – Detroit Lions
41. Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB – New Orleans Saints
Stay tuned to BamaOnLine for continued coverage of the 2024 NFL Draft.
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