McKinstry on Pierce: "I Really Love Him"
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Las Vegas Raiders have the opportunity to find young talent in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Raiders finished the season under Interim Coach Antonio Pierce and Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham as one of the best defensive units in the league. Every player was executing at a high level, from the pass rush to the secondary.
Las Vegas’ defensive back group is young and playing well but could stand to add more talent to that group, and having as many talented defensive backs on a roster does not hurt.
Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry could be one of those players. He has met with the Raiders and spoke to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine about possibly playing for the Raiders.
“It was more of a laid-back meeting,” McKinstry said. “They just wanted to get to know me and know who I was as a person, also watched a few plays, good and bad, and just wanted me to explain the football version of what I was thinking each play.”
McKinstry also had good things to say about Pierce.
Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry spoke about his feelings about Las Vegas Raiders Coach Antonio Pierce at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
“I really love him,” McKinstry said. “Love him as a coach, and I can tell that he’s dedicated into it. I feel like in the whole meeting, there really were a lot of questions about me and my background.”
McKinstry is not the only Crimson Tide cornerback in this class who could go in the first round. His teammate, Terrion Arnold, is considered one of the best, if not the best cornerback in the draft.
However, there is no competition between Arnold and McKinstry, who has a love for his college teammate and wishes him well.
“That’s my brother, so I wouldn’t say we’re in competition at all,” McKinstry said. “That’s my brother. I love him to death. He’s a special player, has great ball skills, he plays well, he understands the game, he knows how to make plays. Like I said, there’s no competition. We’re not battling for any positioning.”
McKinstry was a two-time First-Team All-SEC member and a First-Team All-American in 2023. He finished his Crimson Tide career with 93 total tackles, five tackles for losses, 23 passes defended and two interceptions.
The Raiders are looking for a dominant corner to shut down one side of the field and McKinstry could fit that role for the Silver and Black.
The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.
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