Get ready for the 2025 NFL Draft with our spotlight on Kevin Winston Jr.. Get the breakdown on their strengths and weaknesses in our scouting report, understand their potential with our draft profile, and see where experts predict they’ll land.
Kevin Winston Jr.’s NFL Draft Scouting Report
When it comes to raw upside, few safeties in the 2025 NFL Draft present more than Kevin Winston Jr. Winston played just three games in 2024 before missing the rest of the campaign with a season-ending injury, but when he was healthy in both 2023 and 2024, he was one of the best run support defenders in all of college football.
At around 6’2″, 215 pounds, with over 32″ arms, he has the size and range to overwhelm outside runs, and he tackles like an apex predator in space. Along with his obvious early-down appeal, Winston has upside in coverage. His brand of mobility lends well to quick transitions and explosive closing reps, but he’s still learning how to manage space, position himself between routes, and use his length at the catch point.
There’s projection involved with Winston, but he’s a borderline elite run wrangler who’s incredibly talented, sharp for his age, and still just 21 years old.
Looking for more analysis on prospects? Here’s our safety scouting reports for the 2025 NFL Draft and all other positions.
Kevin Winston Jr.’s Latest NFL Draft Projections
PFSN’s Ian Cummings projected Winston to be drafted 57th by the Carolina Panthers in his most recent 7-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft.
Cummings said, “Right away, Kevin Winston Jr. is a high-floor run support safety alongside Trevon Moehrig with his size, range, and tackling ability, and he has upside as a split-field safety, too.”
Ready to have some fun? Jump into our free NFL Mock Draft Simulator and follow along during the NFL Draft. The simulator will be updated in real-time, allowing you to finish the rest of the draft based on the results.
Kevin Winston Jr.’s NFL Draft Profile and Measurements
- Height: 6’0″
- Weight: 190 pounds
- Position: Safety
- School: Texas
- Hand: 948
- Arm: 3248
- Wing: 8078
Where Does Kevin Winston Jr. Rank Among 2025’s S Prospects?
Here are the top 10 safety rankings for the 2025 NFL Draft, according to PFSN Analyst Ian Cummings:
1. Malaki Starks, Georgia
2. Andrew Mukuba, Texas
3. Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
4. Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
5. Jordan Hancock, Ohio State
6. Jonas Sanker, Virginia
7. Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State
8. R.J. Mickens, Clemson
9. Billy Bowman, Oklahoma
10. Lathan Ransom, Ohio State
If your team misses out on the developmental potential of Nick Emmanwori, Kevin Winston Jr. is a great consolation prize in the Day 2 range. Still just 21 years old, Winston is one of the class’ most intriguing upside gambles, and he has a path to production on Day 1.
Winston missed most of the 2024 campaign after tearing his ACL, but he’s already well on his way back. He ran a 4.45 40-yard dash at his pro day, and at 6’1 1/2″, 215 pounds, with 32 1/2″ arms, that combination of size, explosiveness, and range plays well on film.
Winston’s space management game in zone coverage is still rough around the edges, but he’s one of the better support safeties in the class. He patrols gaps with zeal, tackles like an apex predator, and in coverage, his flashes of swivel flexibility and processing excite.
Want more rankings? Here’s our NFL Draft Big Board for this year’s draft class. You can also make your own with the PFSN Big Board Builder.
Kevin Winston Jr.’s College Stats
Career:
- Solo Tackles: 131
- Tackles: 212
- Tackles For Loss: 9
- Passes Defended: 23
- Interceptions: 6
- Interception Touchdowns: 0
2024:
- Solo Tackles: 41
- Tackles: 69
- Tackles For Loss: 4
- Passes Defended: 7
- Interceptions: 5
- Interception Touchdowns: 0