It took until pick No. 41 to hear his name called, but Kool-Aid Mckinstry landed in a spot where he already knew he was wanted.
The former Alabama standout knew since the combine, walking out of that interview and calling his mother to let her know "man, that conversation. That was real."
McKinstry broke it all down when he joined Mike Detillier, Deuce McAllister, Mike Hoss and Steve Geller on WWL's Draft Fest after the Saints traded up from 45 to nab him in the second round.
"Just the questions they were asking, it felt very personal and it felt like they wanted to know who I am and he wants to know what’s up with me and those questions – it just felt real, man," McKinstry said.
Listen to the full, exclusive interview with McKinstry in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
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That feeling extended to an in-person meeting with Saints defensive coordinator Joe Woods in which the pair went over game film. The pick marks yet another top-end cornerback pick for a team that prioritizes the position, its second Round 2 selection at the position since 2022 (Alontae Taylor).
McKinstry is still working back from a foot injury discovered during the predraft process, and wasn't able to commit to being ready for the upcoming OTAs. But he was eager to get down to work with team doctors on the plan for his rehab, one of whom worked on the Jones fracture discovered during the combine. Initial projections were for McKinstry to be ready for training camp.
“I feel good, man," he said. "A blessed opportunity, ready to be a part.”