Big Blue View
Could Winston wind up being one of the steals of the draft?
Penn State safety Kevin Winston Jr. is going to have a very interesting draft process.
He missed most of the 2024 season with a partially torn ACL suffered back in the second week of the season. His recovery will obviously have a huge influence on his draft stock, but losing almost all of the season also forces scouts to go back to his 2023 tape.
How all that impacts his draft stock is anyone’s guess.
At his best, Winston is one of the best safeties in the country, but how NFL teams don’t like questions. Could his draft stock take enough of a hit that he could be a good value pick for the New York Giants?
The Giants might find themselves in need of another long-term answer at safety, but whether Winston’s value aligns with one of their picks remains to be seen.
Prospect: Kevin Winston Jr. (2)
Games Watched: vs. West Virginia (2023), vs. Ohio State (2023), vs. Michigan (2023), vs. Rutgers (2023)
Red Flags: Partially torn ACL (2024)
Height: 6-foot-1 (estimated)
Weight: 208 pounds (estimated)
Best traits
Winston Jr. is a versatile safety prospect who could fill a variety of roles at the NFL level.
He has a good build for the position, listed at 6-foot-1, 208 pounds, with long arms, and solid all-around athleticism. Winston has good-enough feet and hips to run with tight ends and running backs in coverage, as well as the speed to cover significant ground at the second and third level. Penn State used him all over their secondary, from deep center field or half-field coverage zones, to the slot and tackle box. He was also frequently used in coverage rotations at the snap, usually rotating from a deep half to the slot or even boundary corner position.
Winston shows plenty of evidence of high football IQ throughout his game. He’s an active communicator before the snap and clearly understands his role in coverage schemes. He works to maintain the integrity of the scheme and doesn’t freelance, as well as picking up and passing off receivers as they pass through his zone.
He’s a physical defensive back who’s willing in run support. He generally takes smart – if aggressive – angles to the ball. Winston is a willing hitter, and doesn’t shy away from taking on blockers.
Worst traits
The biggest question for Winston will be his health. Teams will want to make sure that his long-term prognosis is good, that he will regain his athleticism, and won’t have an outsized risk of reinjury.
Beyond that, teams will want to investigate the slight hesitation he shows at the start of plays.
Winston appears to be the kind of player who needs to see the play develop before launching in motion. He plays hard and fast once...
