From the start, the New Orleans Saints believed mixing Kool-Aid McKinstry into an already sweet mix of defensive backs would result in something even more tasty.
Maybe, though, they didn't expect to have to mix him in this much, this early.
McKinstry, this year's second-round draft pick, could be poised to make his first NFL start at cornerback Sunday, when the Saints (1-0) play Dallas (1-0) in Arlington at AT&T Stadium, which can be a raucous environment.
"I'm just going to play football," McKinstry said. "All that doesn't matter, people are going to be at every game. Just going out there playing play by play, doing whatever I can to help the team win."
In the season opener, that meant taking over at right corner when Marshon Lattimore left the game with a hamstring injury midway through the third quarter. And Sunday, it may mean starting at that spot since Lattimore's hamstring prevented him from practicing Wednesday through Friday. Lattimore could be a game-time decision.
McKinstry also has taken reps at slot corner, but with Alontae Taylor having settled in at that spot, he'd be playing a position that's much more familiar.
"Just preparing so I can do my best on Sunday if my number is called," he said. "Wherever the team needs me. Of course, I've got way more reps at corner just because I played a lot more corner in college (at Alabama). But wherever I'm needed, I'm there, ready to help the team."
McKinstry finished his NFL debut game, a 47-10 home victory over Carolina, with two tackles and one big hiccup. He dropped coverage on a first-and-10 play, leading to Carolina's longest play of the game – a 35-yard completion to the Saints' 3-yard line, which led to the Panthers' touchdown.
"It was just one of those things where it could have went either way," he said. "I kind of turned the guy loose in zone, one of those things."
"He likes to compete," Saints defensive coordinator Joe Woods said. "Now the first play…he has to make sure he stays in coverage. But the one thing, he doesn't blink. The game is not too big for him.
"He was excited to go in the game. He went out there, he was challenging receivers, and I think that's what I liked about him. When I went to the Pro Day (at Alabama) just to visit with him and stuff like that, he's a very confident player, he's a very smart player. Playing in front of big crowds is not too big for him."
And McKinstry possesses the right mentality to bounce back from errors.
"That's something you learn off the rip at cornerback – I've been knowing that since high school, somebody catches the ball on you, it's time to move on," he said.
Plus, Woods has the remedy if a bust occurs.
"Mistakes are on me, just go play," Woods said. "And trust your technique. That's all you want him to do. Just play the coverage, play the technique the way it's designed to be played, and let your natural ability kick in."
It's all part of the learning process for McKinstry, who missed much of the offseason with a foot injury, then missed preseason time with a knee injury.
"He came out of coverage on one of the scrambles, which, look, it's a great learning experience for him," Coach Dennis Allen said. "I would say overall, I think he went in there and performed well. I'm excited about what I think he can do.
"I think as with any rookie, there's going to be some challenges, there's going to be some rookie mistakes that you're going to make. The big thing for me is that he gets indoctrinated to our culture and the way that we play the game. And he's been improving in that area on a daily basis. I think he's going to be a good player for us.
"He's growing and there's going to be some growing pains that go along with that, but that's what we get paid to do. That's our job. Our job is to grow and develop young, talented players and so, that's what we'll do."
INJURY REPORT: Lattimore, left tackle Taliese Fuaga (back), defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (illness) and linebacker Jaylan Ford (hamstring) were listed as questionable on Friday's injury report. Linebacker D'Marco Jackson (calf) and defensive tackle Khalen Saunders (calf) are out for Sunday's game.
