Young star finally delivering on the promise Saints fans heard about all offseason
2025 has been full of adversity for second year cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry. After a rocky start, he appears to be back on the right track after a strong performance in week eight against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. McKinstry developing into a star defensive back is pivotal for the success of a young New Orleans Saints defense.
McKinstry only allowed two receptions on seven targets for nine yards against the Buccaneers, including two pass breakups in the end zone. He and Alontae Taylor were frequently matched up against star rookie Emeka Egbuka and held him to three receptions for 35 yards on the day.
McKinstry’s year has been defined by peaks and valleys. He started the year poorly, only given a defensive grade above 60 once by PFF. However, he bounced back in week five with two interceptions against the New York Giants. He struggled once again in week six but has been excellent ever since.
The Saints have massive turnover at defensive back. Kool-Aid McKinstry needs to step up and take the No. 1 cornerback role
The Saints defensive back room looks almost entirely different then last year’s group. Below is a table showing the turnover between this and last year’s team.
|
2024 |
2025 |
|---|---|
|
Kool-Aid McKinstry |
Kool-Aid McKinstry |
|
Alontae Taylor |
Alontae Taylor |
|
Marshon Lattimore |
Quincy Riley |
|
Paulson Adebo |
Isaac Yiadom |
|
Tyrann Mathieu |
Justin Reid |
|
Will Harris |
Jonas Sanker |
McKinstry and Taylor are the only two returning players who played meaningful snaps (Jordan Howden is also still on the roster). Another noticeable difference is the age difference. 2024’s team fielded a more veteran group with Marshon Lattimore, Tyrann Mathieu, and Paulson Adebo. Now, Justin Reid and Alontae Taylor are the only true veterans.
It’s key that McKinstry steps up and declares himself as the star cornerback. This inexperienced group needs someone who can eliminate an area of the field.
The Saints defense have struggled at times in 2025, which is expected, but have been playing better as of late. A major reason is McKinstry’s improvement. He had an impressive game against the Buccaneers and is now looking to translate that momentum to the rest of the year. McKinstry is the X-Factor for the Saints defense finding their footing.
Cowboys Trade for Myles Garrett Just Got a Lot More Likely After New Report
A notable NFL insider has offered up a detailed explanation for why the Dallas Cowboys making a blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett in the next week is very realistic.
After the Cleveland Browns gave superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett a four-year extension worth $160 million earlier this year, it seemed even more likely that the six-time Pro Bowler would actually finish his career in Cleveland. Then Week 8 happened.
On Sunday, Garrett had a game of a lifetime as he posted five sacks against the New England Patriots. However, it meant nothing as the Browns were still blown out by a score of 32-13. Garrett was seen enraged on the sidelines late in the game, and speculation grew louder that he could push for an exit like he reportedly did earlier this year.
However, many around the game believe his massive contract would make a trade very difficult. But, according to ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano, that may not necessarily be the case. He admits that trading Garrett now would mean a big dead cap hit to Cleveland in the years ahead. But various teams have taken on bigger cap hits while getting nothing in return.
“That’s a lot of dead money, but it’s not even close to the record,” Graziano writes. “The Broncos took on about $80 million when they cut Russell Wilson last year, and they made the playoffs last season and look poised to do so again. The Buccaneers are still carrying Tom Brady’s dead money and they won their division every season. We see teams do this more and more as the salary cap continues to rise significantly each year.”
Cowboys could create perfect draft scenario for Browns in Myles Garrett trade
Along with that, Graziano added that there are two other key factors in a potential trade before the Nov. 4 NFL trade deadline. First, Garrett has to want it. Considering the Browns’ long-term outlook and where he would go in the deal, waiving his no-trade clause shouldn’t be a big problem. But Cleveland also must get an offer that makes it worth taking on all that dead money.
Well, the Cowboys are one of the few teams that can make the sort of offer the Browns would want, and that is two first-round picks in April, according to Graziano. After the Micah Parsons trade, they will have two first-rounders in 2026, and following his exit, they still have a desperate need for pass-rushing help this season and beyond.
- Myles Garrett stats: 8 games, 10 sacks, 31 tackles, 15 tackles for loss
“Cleveland would be looking at the possibility of having four first-round selections in the 2026 draft,” Graziano wrote. “The Browns would be able to completely control Round 1 and come out of it with whichever quarterback they wanted. The acquiring team would have to pay Garrett a fairly reasonable $31.5 million in fully guaranteed money in 2026 and about $30.5 million in 2027.”
Based on those details, it sure seems like a blockbuster Myles Garrett trade for the Dallas Cowboys is there for the taking if the star pass rusher really wants out. Especially since the Browns could have a franchise-changing draft next year from what they could get in the deal.
