FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Penn State defensive back Kevin Winston Jr. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.
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2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Kevin Winston Jr.
Kevin Winston Jr. (DB – Penn State)
6-foot-2 | 208 Pounds
Background
Kevin Winston Jr. was a four-star recruit out of Maryland. He recorded 16 tackles as a freshman. He then stepped into a starting role and broke out with 61 tackles, one interception and five breakups in 2023 before sustaining a season-ending partial ACL tear three appearances and 13 tackles into his junior season before declaring for the draft.
Positives
Very well-built safety who put together a very strong 2023 campaign in his first year as a starter. Primarily played as a high safety, but over a third of his snaps came in the box/slot. Capable of playing single-high or split-field. Reads keys patiently in the run game and shows a good willingness to stick his nose in and get physical with opposing ball-carriers. Shows good burst and straight-line speed when coming downhill.
Does a nice job of taking on blockers, attacking them with urgency. Shows an excellent motor in pursuit. Highly reliable tackler who can help set the tone defensively; wasn’t credited with a single missed tackle before this past season. Winston looks good when he’s able to lurk in shallow zones as a robber. Physical enforcer over the middle of the field, punishing and intimidating receivers on crossers; sort of a throwback style to the position in coverage.
Quickly sniffs out screens developing. Has the type of physical profile and temperament to work in man coverage against opposing tight ends. Would occasionally come down to the line of scrimmage and match up against whoever was working out of the slot. Gets physical with opponents at the line of scrimmage and uses his hands to disrupt timing.
Negatives
A partial ACL tear ended Winston’s 2024 season early and will require further medical evaluation during the pre-draft process. Was asked to play some single-high in school, but from an athletic standpoint, profiles as more of a split-field option if working in high coverage at the next level.
Doesn’t have the quickest or most explosive transitions when planting and driving on a spot. Can get frozen at the stem of some routes. He could stand to improve his route anticipation and stop/start quickness; consequently, is better suited to matching up against bigger targets. Struggles to get back in phase when he gets pulled up by play fakes or misdirection. Was never flagged in college, but his physical style of play could lead to more penalties at the next level.
Summary
A big, well-built safety with a very physical temperament, Winston often lined up as a high safety in split-field looks but is temperamentally suited to playing downhill, with an aggressive and physical style of play. Looks fast when he’s able to mix things up with opposing ball-carriers in the run game. Has the thudding power and reliable tackling teams look for in the box.
In coverage, Winston would probably be best suited to a robber role that highlights his physicality but can also play in Cover 2 looks or match up against the occasional tight end. As his route anticipation improves, Winston should develop into a nice player. ACL injury could impact his draft stock.
Projection: Round 3
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