The New Orleans Saints got aggressive on Day 2 of the NFL Draft, trading up with the Green Bay Packers to pick Alabama CB Ga'Quincy "Kool-Aid" McKinstry at No. 41 overall.
McKinstry was the second Alabama cornerback off the board, joining Terrion Arnold, who went No. 24 to the Detroit Lions.
The Saints held firm for their first round selection, taking Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga at No. 14 overall. That wasn't the case in the second round, with the Saints shipping picks No. 45, 168 and 190 to the Packers in exchange for pick No. 41.
The McKinstry selection is a fascinating one for many reasons, one being that the Saints have a loaded cornerback room currently, headlined by Marshon Lattimore, who has been linked to trade rumors throughout the offseason. The Saints also have Paulson Adebo entering a contract year and Alontae Taylor, a second round pick in the 2022 draft.
McKinstry, a Birmingham, Alabama native, broke up 7 passes in the 2023 season while rolling up 32 tackles. He was selected as a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation's top defensive back. McKinstry's return ability could also be valuable to the Saints with the NFL changing its kickoff rules.
The Saints next pick in the draft is No. 150 overall.
