New Orleans Saints cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley have been among the biggest noisemakers during the first week of the team’s training camp.
On Wednesday, first-year head coach Kellen Moore discussed the duo’s performance thus far and spoke highly of the young defensive backs.
When talking about Riley, a fourth-round pick (No. 131 overall) in April’s NFL Draft, Moore praised his awareness and aggressive playing style.
“He finds the ball and he attacks the football,” Moore observed. “That’s one thing we saw on film coming into the draft process. He’s a ball guy,” Moore elaborated.
“That’s what you need on the backend. Mistakes are gonna happen, but when you create turnovers, those impact games,” the former Eagles offensive coordinator added.
Last season at Louisville, Riley, 24, allowed 31 receptions on 65 targets for 446 yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions and nine pass breakups.
Moore didn’t stop his praise there. He also acknowledged second-year pro McKinstry, a 2024 second-round pick (No. 41 overall), noting, “This has been a big-time camp for Kool-Aid.”
“He’s played phenomenal,” Moore said. “His confidence, every single day, he’s just making a ton of plays and to see his ability to transition in the coverage game is really, really good.”
The growth of both this early in camp is a promising sign for the Saints, who have questions at corner after trading star Marshon Lattimore to the Washington Commanders at last year’s trade deadline and watching Paulson Adebo sign with the New York Giants in free agency.
Alontae Taylor, who is set to play on the final year of his rookie contract, and Isaac Yiadom, entering his eighth NFL season, should also play defensive roles this season, but McKinstry and Riley arguably give the Saints the most upside in the secondary.
If the two build on their strong first week of training camp, cornerback, which looked like a potential weakness entering the offseason, could be one of New Orleans’ strengths.
