​Saints could finally get a breakout year from highly drafted Alabama CB originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The New Orleans Saints are likely to see a few new faces make big impacts in 2026, with Travis Etienne Jr., David Edwards, and Jordyn Tyson on the offensive side of the ball making big impacts in their first seasons with the Saints.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut some of the most important players on this roster are those who have been on the team. Tyler Shough is obviously one of the more important players this upcoming season, but on the defensive side of the ball, there’s one player who stands out as very important.The Athletic’s Larry Holder named Saints’ 2024 second-round cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry as the team’s breakout candidate this upcoming season. For the former Alabama CB, 2026 is a massive season as he finally has a real chance to break out.”It’s taken until now for McKinstry to be deemed the Saints’ top cornerback after being a second-round pick in 2024,” Holder writes. “… The Saints have moved on from names like Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo, and Alontae Taylor the past few years, with the intent on having McKinstry eventually become the team’s No. 1 corner.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAfter years of cornerback roster shuffling, the Saints are finally turning the keys to the No. 1 cornerback spot over to McKinstry.Last season, in 17 games, all of which he started, McKinstry had three interceptions with 17 passes defended, 76 tackles, and three tackles for loss.While those 17 passes defended and three interceptions seem good, there’s one clear issue: he struggled in pass coverage.MORE: Bears urged by NFL exec to use Cole Kmet more amid top-10 TE rankingOn 92 targets this past season, the Saints’ 2024 second-rounder allowed 54 receptions for 752 yards and eight touchdowns, good for a 100.5 passer rating.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt wasn’t the best season from McKinstry in pass coverage, even with his three interceptions. But, he’s only 23 years old and coming off just his second season in the league.A breakout year from McKinstry would hardly be a surprise, but as Holder noted, “It’s no guarantee that he ‘breaks out,’ but the chance is there for him.”McKinstry has the draft pedigree, the path to be the Saints’ No. 1 cornerback, and a bit more experience heading into 2026. All three of those factors could coalesce into a breakout season for the Saints’ cornerback, which would be huge for the defense.How 49ers’ problem with Brandon Aiyuk might’ve been solved without a trade or releaseBrowns TE Harold Fannin Jr. receives ‘arrow up’ projection from NFC exec49ers predicted to trade for Maxx Crosby during training campRams predicted to sign ex-49ers, Commanders WR Deebo SamuelBrowns’ Sheduer Sanders predicted to win QB battle during training camp