We are currently in the midst of NFL draft season, with teams preparing to make their selections in just two weeks. During this time, mock drafts become popular, and Mel Kiper of ESPN has suggested that the Baltimore Ravens should address their need for defensive backs with the 30th pick.
In Kiper’s mock draft, he predicts that the Ravens will select Kool-Aid McKinstry, a cornerback from the Alabama Crimson Tide. Kiper acknowledges that he had previously focused on the Ravens selecting a tackle in his earlier mock drafts, but he now recognizes the importance of addressing their cornerback needs.
While the Ravens boasted an impressive defense in the 2023 season, ranking first in points allowed and sixth in yards allowed, they did suffer the loss of multiple defensive starters and faced injuries at the cornerback position for extended periods throughout the season.
Some fans, like Kevin Oestreicher, have pondered the potential pairing of Kool-Aid McKinstry with Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens in the Ravens’ defense.
Kiper provided an explanation for his selection, highlighting that although McKinstry may not be the largest defender at 6 feet and 199 pounds, he has experience facing top-tier competition in the SEC.
McKinstry, who earned All-American honors in his senior year at Alabama in 2023, has played 42 games over three seasons, accumulating 93 combined tackles, 2 interceptions, and 23 passes defended.
Kiper believes that McKinstry, known for his physicality and ability to limit touchdowns as the nearest defender in coverage over the past two seasons, would be a sensible choice for the Ravens.
Kool-Aid McKinstry Could Be Answer to Injury Questions
The Baltimore Ravens had a strong defense overall in the 2023 season, but their cornerback group faced significant challenges and had to rely on makeshift arrangements for a large part of the year.
According to Kiper, Marlon Humphrey, a key cornerback for the Ravens, was limited to just 10 games last season. He missed the first four games of the season and made his return in Week 5 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Unfortunately, Humphrey’s season was marked by ups and downs. He suffered a calf injury in Week 10 against the Cleveland Browns, causing him to miss the following two games. He managed to make a comeback but then encountered another calf injury in Week 16 against the Miami Dolphins. This injury ultimately led to him missing the final game of the season as well as the divisional round playoff matchup against the Houston Texans.
Humphrey did return to play against the Kansas City Chiefs, but he was severely limited and only participated in 13 defensive snaps.
Considering Humphrey’s injury concerns, McKinstry would be an ideal player to step into his role if the injury troubles persist into the 2024 season. While the Ravens have emerging talent in Brandon Stephens and re-signed veteran Arthur Maulet during the offseason, they lack proven depth and talent beyond that.