As the New Orleans Saints headed into training camp for the 2025 NFL season, a pressing issue has lingered over the roster—an obvious and heavily discussed weakness in their cornerback room. Of all the positions under scrutiny, none has garnered more attention or concern from fans, analysts, and insiders alike than cornerback. It’s been a turbulent time for the Saints defensively, and nowhere is that turbulence more evident than in the secondary.
Over the course of the past year, the Saints have experienced substantial turnover, and many of their most prominent contributors from previous seasons are no longer with the organization. Just a year ago, New Orleans began the 2024 season with two strong and proven cornerbacks at the helm of their defense: Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo. Lattimore, a four-time Pro Bowler who had long served as the cornerstone of the Saints’ secondary, was a stabilizing force. Adebo, who complemented Lattimore as the second starting corner, was seen as a solid player in his own right. The two had built up chemistry, and together they were expected to lead a capable defense.
However, circumstances have drastically changed since then. Fast forward to 2025, and neither Lattimore nor Adebo remains on the roster. The departure of both players has left a massive void at the cornerback position and forced the team into a state of reassessment and recalibration. The Saints now find themselves trying to rebuild and retool their defensive backfield in the wake of these departures.
With the loss of these veteran talents, speculation about the Saints’ next moves has been running wild. Discussions have surfaced around potential free-agent signings or trade targets that could fill the gap in the secondary. One name that continues to be mentioned in these speculative discussions is Asante Samuel Jr., who many believe could be a viable option to bolster the Saints’ cornerback depth and give the team a more experienced presence. Samuel’s name has been floated often, and fans have latched onto the idea as a possible solution. Yet, as of now, the team has not made a definitive move to add a veteran like Samuel.
Still, it’s important to note that while the Saints have lost seasoned players, the current roster does feature some promising young talent. That youthful promise starts with none other than Kool-Aid McKinstry, who was selected by New Orleans in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. McKinstry’s presence gives the Saints something to build around at the position, even if the group as a whole remains thin and unproven.
McKinstry made a strong impression in his rookie campaign. Over the course of the 2024 season, he demonstrated sound technique, impressive instincts, and poise in coverage situations. Statistically, McKinstry managed to hold opposing quarterbacks to a 54.8 percent completion rate when targeted. This was across a relatively high number of 62 targets, suggesting he saw regular action but handled it well. These numbers point to a level of consistency and discipline that is rare for a rookie cornerback, especially in today’s pass-heavy NFL.
Given the exodus of experienced talent and the heightened responsibility being placed on younger players, the Saints are relying heavily on McKinstry to continue growing and developing into a high-level starter. In training camp, he has embraced that challenge. By all accounts, McKinstry has shown up to camp with the mindset and demeanor of a player ready to lead. And, more importantly, his performance on the field has lived up to the hype.
Head coach Kellen Moore, who is entering his first year at the helm for New Orleans, has already taken note of McKinstry’s performance and attitude. Moore hasn’t held back his praise when discussing the young defensive back. According to the head coach, McKinstry is playing at an exceptional level during camp and is bringing a palpable confidence to each day of practice.
“This has been a big-time camp for Kool-Aid,” Moore stated, emphasizing how much the second-year corner has impressed thus far. “He has played phenomenal. His confidence every single day—he’s just making a ton of plays, and you can just see his ability to transition in the coverage game is really, really good.”
Moore’s comments reflect a larger trend within the team—an increasing belief that McKinstry is not only capable of filling the shoes left behind by Lattimore and Adebo but potentially growing into one of the better corners in the league. The Saints’ coaching staff appears to see McKinstry as the clear No. 1 option at cornerback heading into the season, a role that comes with pressure but also opportunity.
For a defense that has been questioned repeatedly over the last few months, a breakout season from McKinstry could be transformative. If he can take a significant leap forward in his sophomore campaign, it could completely reshape how both fans and analysts view the Saints’ defense. It would also serve to stabilize a unit that has been rocked by roster turnover.
McKinstry’s development also ties into broader themes regarding the Saints’ future. The franchise, despite losing several key veterans, still possesses underappreciated depth and intriguing young players across the board. The team isn’t necessarily being picked as a playoff contender or championship threat, but there is a growing sense around the building that this group could surprise people.
In some ways, McKinstry is a symbol of the current Saints—young, overlooked, but quietly building something. If he can ascend to a Pro Bowl-level in 2025, it would not only validate the team’s faith in him but also serve as a beacon for what this defense could become. More than just filling a spot on the depth chart, McKinstry is being asked to carry the mantle as the face of a new era in the Saints’ secondary.
Throughout training camp, McKinstry has exuded the type of presence that coaches dream of. He’s been vocal, physical, and relentless in one-on-one drills. He’s shadowed receivers, broken up passes, and even come away with a few interceptions during team scrimmages. These aren’t just flashes of talent—they are signs of a player putting in the work and making real progress.
Veterans on the team have taken notice, too. Several of the Saints’ defensive backs and linebackers have been vocal in their support of McKinstry, praising his work ethic and willingness to learn. Despite his youth, he’s earned the respect of his teammates by competing at a high level and bringing intensity to every rep.
Behind McKinstry, the rest of the cornerback group remains something of a question mark. There are younger players fighting for roster spots and veterans trying to prove they still belong in the league. The coaching staff is evaluating each practice closely to see who might step up and claim the other starting spot or play a key rotational role. But none of those players have shown the same level of consistency or upside as McKinstry has so far.
This puts even more pressure on him to not just play well, but to be a leader—both in performance and in mentality. At just 22 years old, he’s being asked to mature quickly and take on responsibilities typically reserved for more seasoned players. Fortunately, based on how he’s approached training camp, it appears he’s up to the task.
McKinstry’s rise could also influence how the Saints approach the rest of the offseason and the regular season. If he locks down the CB1 role convincingly, it could allow the front office to shift its focus away from emergency signings and instead let the younger players on the roster compete for supporting roles. It could also create flexibility in future drafts and free-agent plans, knowing they may already have their shutdown corner in place.
Still, the Saints aren’t naïve. They understand the risks of leaning too heavily on one young player, especially at a position as critical as cornerback. They’ll likely remain open to adding talent if the right opportunity presents itself. But for now, McKinstry has done everything the team could ask for, and then some.
He represents not just a solution to a roster problem but a glimpse into a potentially exciting future. In a league where success often hinges on having elite talent at premium positions, McKinstry is giving the Saints hope that they might already have one of those pieces in place.
In the grand scheme of things, the 2025 season may be remembered as a pivotal moment for the Saints. With a new head coach in Kellen Moore and a young core of emerging players, New Orleans is in a transitional phase. It’s a time of uncertainty, yes, but also a time of opportunity. Kool-Aid McKinstry is at the heart of that transformation.
As the team continues to navigate training camp and prepare for the upcoming season, all eyes will remain on McKinstry and how he handles the expectations being placed on him. If he continues to thrive, he won’t just be the answer to a personnel question—he’ll be the cornerstone of a revitalized defense, and perhaps, a key figure in the Saints’ return to contention.
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