The Pittsburgh Steelers shouldn’t select Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, according to Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report.
One of the top-ranked cornerback prospects in the 2024 NFL draft is Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry. However, Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report contended that the Pittsburgh Steelers shouldn’t take him into consideration in the first round.
Ballentine bemoaned the fact that the Steelers, with a No. 20 overall pick, needed to target a guy to boost their offense. Thus, he designated McKinstry as the draft prospect that the Steelers “must avoid.”
If the Alabama prospect is still available at No. 20, the Pittsburgh Steelers would be inclined to select him with Joey Porter Jr., according to Ballentine.
Nevertheless, with Porter, Levi Wallace, and Patrick Peterson covering cornerback positions, the Steelers finished 10th in passing rating allowed the previous campaign. The offense, on the other hand, ranked 23rd in EPA per play and 28th in scoring, in part because to a subpar offensive line.
The Steelers should improve their left tackle and center positions. It would be poor resource management to pass on Amarius Mims or even Jackson Powers-Johnson in favor of McKinstry given the caliber of this draft class at both positions.
In the 2023 season, McKinstry was among the best cornerbacks in college football. He was named to several media groups’ first teams All-America, including the Associated Press.
McKinstry totaled 93 tackles, including 5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, and 23 pass defenses during his time at Alabama. Plus, he had two sacks.
“Must Avoid” the Steelers CB Analyst Kool-Aid McKinstry
Ballentine’s main defense of McKinstry’s avoidance by the Steelers isn’t particularly related to him. Rather, he only contended that Pittsburgh ought to concentrate on their offensive at No. 20.
That’s a challenging argument to make given the team’s recent offensive output. Since 2018, the Steelers have not been higher than 23rd in terms of total offense.
Amarius Mims, an offensive tackle, and Jackson Powers-Johnson, a center, were listed by Ballentine as the Steelers’ preferred targets. Troy Fautanu, J.C. Latham, and Graham Barton are three more offensive line prospects who could strengthen Pittsburgh’s offensive line.
The Steelers might switch 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones back to his more natural left tackle position if they were able to choose a starting right tackle at No. 20 overall. Dan Moore Jr., the starting left tackle who is in the last year of his rookie deal, would therefore be benched.
Still, the Steelers would benefit with a superior center. There are currently no centers on Pittsburgh’s 2024 roster.
McKinstry Managing A Foot Ailment
Ballentine did not address the foot injury sustained by McKinstry. However, others would contend that the condition is yet another reason the Steelers ought to pass on the Alabama cornerback.
Doctors at the NFL combine discovered a Jones fracture in McKinstry’s right foot, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. McKinstry didn’t perform well at the combine as a result.
Increased training or pressure on the foot are the usual causes of Jones fractures. The foot’s pinky toe is where the fracture is located.
The good news is that McKinstry is expected to make a full recovery, which usually takes six to eight weeks, according to Rapoport’s story from April 10. Given that McKinstry had surgery in March, he might be fully recovered for rookie minicamps.
Nevertheless, Ballentine made it plain that he wouldn’t take the Alabama cornerback if he were selecting for the Steelers.
Dave Holcomb is a sports writer for Heavy.com who focuses on the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers while covering MLB and the NFL. Holcomb, who is originally from Pittsburgh, has covered professional and collegiate sports for publications like Fansided, Rotowire, and Yardbarker. Additional information on Dave Holcomb
