Kevin Winston Jr. NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Penn State Safety

HEIGHT: 6'1½"

WEIGHT: 215

HAND: 9½"

ARM: 32½

WINGSPAN: 80⅞"

POSITIVES

— Range downhill, triggers with good burst and acceleration to close space.

— Coverage versatility with the upside as a potential TE matchup defender.

— Hits like a heat-seeking missile.

NEGATIVES

— Quickly processing and diagnosing information in real-time.

— Lost valuable playing time for development due to a knee injury in 2024.

— Attacks ball-carriers and receivers in space with reckless abandon.

NOTES

— Born Dec. 2, 2003

— 4-star recruit in 2022 class, per 247Sports

— Missed the majority of the 2024 season due to a knee injury

— 2023 Honorable Mention All-Big Ten

OVERALL

Kevin Winston Jr has good NFL size and athletic ability to be a chess piece in the secondary. 

Winston is a tone-setting hitter. He triggers downhill with aggressive intent. He also plays the run well and attacks the ball-carrier like a missile. Winston plays the outside well, either to force the running back wide laterally or to cut back into the teeth of their defense. He displays good range sideline to sideline and downhill toward the line of scrimmage.

Winston is a physical striker who looks to inflict pain on opposing ball-carriers. He approaches coverage situations similarly. Winston will fight through the intended target's hands violently, raking to strip the ball away and force a pass breakup. 

Winston has the size and athleticism to match up against tight ends in the NFL. He has the speed to run with them on seam routes and crossing patterns, reducing the possibility of catches being made. 

Winston needs more playing time to fully develop. Losing most of the 2024 season to a knee injury hurt his development. Winston needs to improve his play recognition. He can be late in identifying run vs. pass and locating the football.

In coverage, Winston’s backpedals display his hip tightness. His transitions out of his backpedal are labored and lack explosiveness. He isn’t a fluid mover going backwards. 

Overall, Winston is a talented defensive back with the versatility to wear multiple hats in the secondary. Getting back on the field will help his instincts and mental development. Winston projects as a strong safety in the NFL, but he will align against receivers and tight ends in coverage. He’s a high-ceiling prospect if the game slows down for him. 

GRADE: 7.6 (Potential Impact Player — 2nd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 45

POSITION RANK: S4

PRO COMPARISON: Tyler Nubin

Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson