First-Round Cornerback Has Predraft Visit With Packers
The Green Bay Packers got an up-close opportunity to get to know Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry and gauge his recovery from foot surgery.
GREEN BAY, Wis. – It was a big day for defensive backs and the Green Bay Packers. As Iowa’s Cooper DeJean held an individual pro day for scouts, the Packers hosted Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry for a predraft visit, he said via social media.
Same as DeJean, McKinstry is double trouble. He was a first-team All-American at cornerback in 2023 and earned some All-American accolades at cornerback and punt returner in 2022.
McKinstry did not perform for scouts at the Scouting Combine after a Jones fracture was discovered in his right foot. With Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst in attendance, he did perform at Alabama’s pro day a few weeks later before having surgery. At the time, McKinstry said he’d be ready for rookie camp.
Monday’s visit no doubt was a getting-to-know-you session as well as a chance to gauge McKinstry’s recovery.
Here is a closer look at a potential Packers first-round pick.
Who Is Kool-Aid McKinstry?
Ga’Quincy “Kool-Aid” McKinstry grew up in Birmingham, Ala., where he was Alabama’s Mr. Football and the USA Today Defensive Player of the Year for the entire nation in 2020.
He lived up to the hype about as much as possible. He made the all-SEC freshman team in 2021, when he played a lot as a backup, before he burst onto the scene with one interception and 15 passes defensed in 2022 and zero interceptions and seven passes defensed in 2023. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed completion rates of barely 50 percent in 2021 and less than 50 percent in 2022 and 2023.
“(I have) great IQ and just a real football player who understands the game," McKinstry said at the Scouting Combine.
Why Kool-Aid?
“When I came home, I was smiling,” he said at the Combine. “She said I had the Kool-Aid smile.”
At Alabama, he signed an NIL deal with the drink-maker.
How Does Kool-Aid McKinstry Fit With Packers?
The Packers’ defensive backfield is steeped in uncertainty. At cornerback, former All-Pro Jaire Alexander is coming off a season defined by underwhelming play, injuries and a suspension. Eric Stokes missed most of the season due to hamstring injuries, Rasul Douglas was traded and Carrington Valentine was thrown to the wolves with mixed results.
Alexander will start at corner and Keisean Nixon will get the call in the slot. The other cornerback position could be his for the taking.
In coverage, McKinstry has the talent and experience to be an instant starter. Against the run, he’s not the most physical player but he’s an effective tackler with only nine misses in three seasons.
“The biggest improvement I’d say I’m looking at is just being more consistent,” he told reporters in Indianapolis. “Being consistent in every thing I do. Whether that’s a practice, a game, or a walk-through rep, it’s about being consistent and treating every rep, every walk-through, every practice like it’s the last play of the Super Bowl.”
While Nixon is the two-time All-Pro returner, that’s mostly for his work on kickoffs. McKinstry could factor on punt returns, a role shared last year by Nixon and Jayden Reed. McKinstry averaged 11.9 yards per punt return during his career.
“I just feel like I can do it all, whether that’s playing corner, playing in the slot,” he said. “I can move very well. I’ve got enough speed to guard whoever. Just me and my mentality, how consistent I am as an athlete, how consistent I am in my day-to-day life, it’s just different.”
Round Projection for Kool-Aid McKinstry
McKinstry likely will be a first-round pick on April 25, though the depth of the cornerback class and his lack of elite athleticism – 4.47 in the 40-yard dash and a 7.55 Relative Athletic Score – could push him into the early second round. His Alabama teammate, Terrion Arnold, also is in that first-round mix.
“Terrion is more of an athlete, a freak of nature,” McKinstry said. “I’m more of a guy who has great IQ. ... [I’m] able to play man, not afraid to get in anyone's face and challenge them at the line of scrimmage. Being able to run with guys and cut them off and make plays down the field, make plays when they're shorter routes.”
The Packers own the 25th pick of the first round as well as Nos. 41 and 58 overall of the second round.
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Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (1) breaks up a pass.
Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
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