Kool-Aid McKinstry’s rookie season completely changed when Paulson Adebo went down with injury. McKinstry goes from being a minor player in the system to basically being a starter. But the New Orleans Saints drafted him so highly because an emergency like this might happen.
He’ll be the outside corner opposite Marshon Lattimore in the Saints’ nickel defense, which they run more often than almost any other personnel grouping. You’ll frequently see Lattimore, McKinstry and slot corner Alontae Taylor on the field together.
This is similar to the role McKinstry played against the Dallas Cowboys, but the difference comes from who is on the other side of the field. In Week 2, the rookie filled in for Lattimore. This week, he’s playing opposite of Lattimore.
Even though Adebo is a good cornerback, he was one of the NFL’s most-targeted players in coverage because teams didn’t want to try Lattimore. That tendency didn’t change with a rookie entering the lineup. Lattimore is rarely challenged. That’s another tendency that is unlikely to change.
McKinstry saw just two targets on 12 passing snaps in Week 2. He probably won’t see another game with just two targets. He also will see more than 12 snaps on passing plays as well.
In limited action, McKinstry has looked good. He’s about to really jump in the fire playing opposite of the Saints top corner. Expect to see McKinstry much more than you did against the Cowboys.
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