Lions host Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry on pre-draft visit
Dan Campbell said the Detroit Lions probably will look to fill their need at cornerback in this month’s NFL draft, and they hosted one of the best prospects at the position — Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry — on a top-30 visit Thursday.
McKinstry, who also had a formal meeting with the Lions at the NFL combine, is projected as a top-40 pick and could interest the Lions late in the first round.
The Lions have the 29th pick in the draft. A three-year starter at Alabama, McKinstry, whose real first name is Ga’Quincy, said he got his nickname from his grandmother “one minute after birth.”
“When I came home, I was smiling,” he said. “She said I had the Kool-Aid smile.”
At Alabama, McKinstry made life difficult on opposing receivers. He allowed a 57.9 passer rating against in 2022, according to Pro Football Focus, and was targeted just 39 times in 2023.
McKinstry played primarily as an outside cornerback in college, opposite fellow potential first-round pick Terrion Arnold, in one of college football’s best secondaries.
“He’s a fantastic athlete and a freak of nature,” McKinstry told reporters at the combine. “Me, I’m more of a guy who has great IQ and a real football player. I understand the game.”
McKinstry did not work out at the combine because of a Jones fracture in his foot, but answered questions about his speed by running a reported 4.47-second 40-yard dash at Alabama’s pro day — days before he was expected to undergo surgery for the injury.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes attended Alabama’s pro day.
“I didn’t get a chance to see an Alabama game (in person) this past year,” Holmes said. “They had a lot of prospects, obviously, so that’s why I made the decision to go to Alabama (for pro day).”
This year’s draft is considered deep at cornerback with Arnold and Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell expected to be the first two corners off the board.
McKinstry, who finished his college career with two interceptions, is in the next tier of cornerbacks along with players like Iowa’s Cooper DeJean, Clemson’s Nate Wiggins and Missouri’s Ennis Rakestraw.
The Lions traded for Carlton Davis and signed Amik Robertson in free agency, but released starter Cam Sutton after he was accused of domestic violence. The team also re-signed Emmanuel Moseley, who missed most of last season with a torn ACL, and Kindle Vildor, who finished last season as a starter.
“The biggest improvement I’d say I’m looking at is just being more consistent,” McKinstry said at the combine. “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.”