KOOL-AID MCKINSTRY 2025 SEASON ANALYSIS
New Orleans Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry routinely was labeled a "shut-down" corner by teammates in 2025, and the second-round pick from 2024 did his best to live up to the label. The Saints defense improved statistically by leaps and bounds as the season progressed and McKinstry had a hand in the improvement, finishing as the team leader in interceptions (three) and pass breakups (17), with 76 tackles and three tackles for loss while starting all 17 games.
QUINCY RILEY 2025 SEASON ANALYSIS
New Orleans Saints cornerback Quincy Riley possibly wasn't expected to play a vital role in the secondary as a fourth-round draft pick in 2025, but injuries opened the door to game reps and performance helped keep Riley on the field as he made five starts in 17 games. Riley intercepted a pass, defended 10 passes and forced a fumble while totaling 35 tackles.
BEST GAME OF KOOL-AID MCKINSTRY'S 2025 SEASON
The first two-interception game of McKinstry's career came against the Giants in the Caesars Superdome on Oct. 5, and helped the Saints register a 26-14 victory. McKinstry defended three passes in the game and totaled four tackles, and was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
BEST GAME OF QUINCY RILEY'S 2025 SEASON
Riley's lone interception came against the Bears at Soldier Field on Oct. 19, in a 26-14 loss. He had three tackles and a pass defensed in the game.
Quincy Riley, on learning from Saints veterans:
For me, really it’s just me being a sponge, soaking up all the game I can from my vets and just sitting back and learning each day, no matter if I’m doing good or bad, always learning something new each day.
Kool-Aid McKinstry, on winning NFC Defensive Player of the Week in week 5:
I’m the type of guy, I’m a humble guy. I keep my head down, I work and I stay coachable. That’s what I do. No award changes me. I am who I am.
Check out photos of New Orleans Saints cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley in action throughout the 2025 NFL season.
CB Quincy Riley (29) and CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (4) celebrate during the New Orleans Saints game against the Chicago Bears for Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season on Oct. 19, 2025 at Soldier Field.
CB Quincy Riley (29) and CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (4) celebrate during the New Orleans Saints game against the Chicago Bears for Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season on Oct. 19, 2025 at Soldier Field.
CB Quincy Riley (29) intercepts the ball during the New Orleans Saints game against the Chicago Bears for Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season on Oct. 19, 2025 at Soldier Field.
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (4) in position during the New Orleans Saints game against the Arizona Cardinals for Week 1 of the 2025 NFL Season on Sept. 7, 2025 at Caesars Superdome.
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (4) in action during the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers for Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season on Sept. 14, 2025 at Caesars Superdome.
CB Quincy Riley (29) in action during the New Orleans Saints game against the Seattle Seahawks for Week 3 of the 2025 NFL Season on Sept. 21, 2025 at Lumen Field.
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (4) runs a route during the New Orleans Saints game against the Buffalo Bills for Week 4 of the 2025 NFL Season on Sept. 28, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
CB Quincy Riley (29) in action during the New Orleans Saints game against the Buffalo Bills for Week 4 of the 2025 NFL Season on Sept. 28, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (4) catches an interception during the New Orleans Saints game against the New York Giants for Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season on Oct. 5, 2025 at Caesars Superdome.
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (4) celebrates his interception catch during the New Orleans Saints game against the New York Giants for Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season on Oct. 5, 2025 at Caesars Superdome.
CB Quincy Riley (29) lines up during the New Orleans Saints game against the New England Patriots for Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season on October 12, 2025 at Caesars Superdome.
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (4) tackles QB Caleb Williams (18) during the New Orleans Saints game against the Chicago Bears for Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season on Oct. 19, 2025 at Soldier Field.
CB Quincy Riley (29) makes a tackle during the New Orleans Saints game against the Chicago Bears for Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season on Oct. 19, 2025 at Soldier Field.
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (4) gets in position during the New Orleans Saints game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season on Oct. 26, 2025 at the Caesars Superdome.
CB Quincy Riley (29) goes for the tackle during the New Orleans Saints game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season on Oct. 26, 2025 at the Caesars Superdome.
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (4) deflects the pass during the New Orleans Saints game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season on Oct. 26, 2025 at the Caesars Superdome.
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (4) lining up the tackle during the New Orleans Saints game against the Los Angeles Rams for Week 9 of the 2025 NFL season on Nov. 2, 2025 at SoFi Stadium.
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (4) smiles during the New Orleans Saints game against the Los Angeles Rams for Week 9 of the 2025 NFL season on Nov. 2, 2025 at SoFi Stadium.
CB Alontae Taylor (1) and CB Quincy Riley (29) in action during the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons for Week 12 of the 2025 NFL season on Nov. 23, 2025 at the Caesars Superdome.
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (4) catches an interception during the New Orleans Saints game against the Miami Dolphins for Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season on Nov. 30, 2025 at Hard Rock Stadium.
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (4) makes a tackle during the New Orleans Saints game against the Miami Dolphins for Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season on Nov. 30, 2025 at Hard Rock Stadium.
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (4) and CB Quincy Riley (29) celebrate during the New Orleans Saints game against the Miami Dolphins for Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season on Nov. 30, 2025 at Hard Rock Stadium.
CB Quincy Riley (29) in action during the New Orleans Saints game against the Miami Dolphins for Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season on Nov. 30, 2025 at Hard Rock Stadium.
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (4) celebrates after making a tackle during the New Orleans Saints game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Week 14 of the 2025 NFL season on Dec. 7, 2025 at Raymond James Stadium.
CB Quincy Riley (29) in action during the New Orleans Saints game against the Carolina Panthers for Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season on Dec. 14, 2025 at the Caesars Superdome.
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (4) tackles during the New Orleans Saints game against the New York Jets for Week 16 of the 2025 NFL season on Dec. 21, 2025 at the Caesars Superdome.
CB Quincy Riley (29) breaks up a pass during the New Orleans Saints game against the Tennessee Titans for Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season on Dec. 28, 2025 at Nissan Stadium.
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (4) in action during the New Orleans Saints game against the Tennessee Titans for Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season on Dec. 28, 2025 at Nissan Stadium.
CB Quincy Riley (29) in action during the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons for Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season on Jan. 4, 2026 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (4) celebrates during the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons for Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season on Jan. 4, 2026 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
