2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Ga'Quincy 'Kool-Aid' McKinstry

Strengths

• Elite zone-cover cornerback with top-level awareness of route concepts and design
• Field general skills are phenomenal, he could be seen mid-play directing his teammates as to where a route was headed
• Impressive length and speed allow him to often go stride for stride with receivers on deep routes
• Physical presence in run game, only missed three tackles in 2023
• Extremely fluid hips that allow for smooth transitions in coverage
• Offers versatility as an outside corner, slot corner, and on special teams
• Good knack for challenging at point of attack, had 16 passes defended in a competitive SEC in 2022

Weaknesses

• Bigger receivers can often bully him at the top of comeback routes
• Against Texas, he struggled against deep routes and transitioning to bail technique
• Had a bit of a letdown in 2023 following an impressive 2022 campaign, overshadowed statistically by his running mate Terrion Arnold
• Teeters between being too physical at times, multiple instances on tape of him going over the back of a receiver to break up a pass that would likely get flagged in the NFL

Final Thoughts and Chicago Bears Fit for Kool-Aid McKinstry

Kool-Aid was a fun player to watch on film. His knowledge of the game is abundantly clear on tape, and his versatility and physicality were unmistakable qualities exuded by most defensive backs coached by Saban.

As a player, he reminded me a little of Eddie Jackson. Jackson, like McKinstry, had a high level of understanding of Saban's defense, and that knowledge tends to present a high floor at the next level. Kool-Aid would be a perfect fit in Matt Eberflus's zone-heavy scheme. Despite the Chicago Bears having already invested heavily in their secondary through the draft, if they're able to trade down from No. 9 into the back half of the first round, I could easily see McKinstry being a target for Eberflus and Ryan Poles.

McKinstry could provide the Bears with excellent insurance for Jackson and Jaylon Johnson. Suppose the team moves on from Jackson this offseason. In that case, McKinstry has the talent and versatility to play free safety. Furthermore, if the Bears franchise tag Johnson and don't re-sign him, McKinstry offers legitimate CB1 upside assuming he can shore up his man-coverage technique.

Pro Comp: A more physical Jaire Alexander