As the Detroit Lions work to meet their quota of top-30 pre-draft visits, this week provided one of the most interesting and notable. On Thursday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reported that Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry had completed his top-30 visit with the Lions.
The Lions have expressed strong interest in McKinstry, with a formal meeting at the NFL Combine and general manager Brad Holmes attending Alabama’s Pro Day. McKinstry was unable to perform on-field work in Indianapolis due to the finding of a Jones fracture in his foot during the combine, but he ran a 4.47 40-yard sprint at the Pro Day before the injury was repaired.
Despite his nickname, McKinstry was not particularly fond of the receivers he faced during his college career. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed a quarterback rating less than 80.0 in his three seasons at Alabama (57.9 in 2022). Last season, he was targeted 39 times (19 receptions allowed, 48.7 percent completion rate, 205 yards). He only had two interceptions over three seasons, but it is deceptive given how seldom he was targeted–especially in two of them. He has 22 pass breakups in 2022 and 2023.
A deep draft class at cornerback, and if clubs have any worries about his recovery from that foot injury before training camp, that may place McKinstry right in the Lions’ laps.
