DJ McKinney CB Notre Dame |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Scouting Report: Weaknesses

• An injury cost him the final three games of 2025
• Part-time role this season, with 244 snaps in seven games
• Missed nine tackles in nine games in 2025
• Light frame that bigger receivers can test at the catch point

Scouting Report: Summary

McKinney is a fast, experienced corner who has made plays at three programs. He has good speed, and Aaron Henry has said he has feet like a deer and that receivers feel it when he gets his hands on them. He started all 13 games at Colorado in 2024, making three interceptions, including a pick-six, and nine pass breakups, and he opened his Notre Dame career with a 55-yard pick-six against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field.

His coverage this season has been efficient. He has allowed seven catches for 44 yards on 13 targets in seven games for a 7-1 team, and he has been part of a defense that has helped Notre Dame win seven of eight games. He chose Notre Dame for its values and finished his degree at Colorado before arriving, which shows his maturity, and he has experience against a wide range of offenses after four seasons in the Big 12. The pick-six came on an overthrown pass in the third quarter.

However, his role and health are questions. An injury cost him the final three games of 2025, and he has played only 244 snaps in seven games this season in a part-time role. He missed nine tackles in 2025, and his frame is light, so bigger receivers can test him at the catch point and in run support. His ball production has also been uneven since his strong 2024 season. He also had no logged snaps against Navy on 31 October, with no reason reported.

Overall, McKinney is a fast, physical corner whose experience and ball skills give him a clear path to an NFL roster. He projects as a fifth-round corner with the ceiling of a starting outside corner and the floor of a special teams contributor and reserve. A larger role down the stretch would help answer questions about his consistency.