New Orleans Saints rookie cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry is poised to make a strong impression early in his NFL career. The Saints’ 2024 NFL Draft saw them pick offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga in the first round and McKinstry in the second. Both are expected to be immediate contributors.
Their skills will be tested quickly as the Saints face the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2. This game will likely pit Fuaga against Micah Parsons and see McKinstry matching up with CeeDee Lamb.
McKinstry joins a talented Saints secondary that includes four-time Pro Bowl corner Marshon Lattimore, breakout player Paulson Adebo, and Alontae Taylor. Although Lattimore is expected to cover Lamb when he’s on the outside, Lamb’s frequent slot appearances might pair him against McKinstry. This setup could challenge McKinstry, as slot corners often face mismatches.
There’s speculation that McKinstry will play as a slot corner, which would mean covering Lamb in just his second NFL game. This scenario could either expose McKinstry’s inexperience or allow him to shine by successfully containing one of the league’s top receivers. A strong performance against Lamb would highlight McKinstry’s capabilities and help establish his role in the Saints’ secondary.
