Eagles 2025 NFL Draft: Penn State SAF Kevin Winston Jr. Scouting Report

The Philadelphia Eagles don’t have many glaring holes. But the starting safety spot next to Reed Blankenship remains very much in pencil—and that’s being generous. With C.J. Gardner-Johnson traded and Sydney Brown looking more special teams contributor than a starting option, Philly needs reinforcements on the back end.

They’ve got two promising young corners in Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. Now it’s time to round out the secondary with a versatile, physical safety who can fly downhill and erase tight ends. That’s where Kevin Winston Jr. comes in.

He’s not a polished, complete prospect. But he’s got length, speed, and a tone-setting presence that would slot in perfectly with what Christian Parker (passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach) demands from the position. Here’s the full scouting report on the Penn State standout.

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

Notes

• Height: 6-foot-2
• Weight: 208 pounds
• Recruiting: 2022 4-star, No. 342 national, No. 28 Saf
• Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (2023)
• Missed most of 2024 with ACL injury, father played football at James Madison

Positives

• Explosive, downhill safety who erases space fast and hits like a linebacker
• Long, physical frame with the range and build to match up with tight ends
• Elite tackler—rarely misses in space and closes with authority
• Versatile alignment experience: single-high, box, nickel, even some off-ball linebacker

Winston is a heat-seeking missile when he’s allowed to trigger downhill. His 2023 tape shows a safety who plays fast, tackles clean, and punishes ball-carriers. He’s got the kind of range that shuts down outside runs and the frame to tangle with tight ends in coverage.

He’s also surprisingly versatile. Penn State used him all over the formation, and he showed comfort playing deep zone, buzzing into the box, and even holding up in man against big-bodied receivers. If you want a tone-setter on the back end with legit sub-package utility, Winston checks those boxes.

Negatives

• Struggles when playing deep—transitions are tight, and coverage range isn’t fluid
• Ball production is limited—doesn’t always anticipate well or read the quarterback’s eyes
• High-cut frame can get stiff in space when flipping hips or redirecting
• Still recovering from an ACL tear that ended his 2024 season after just two games

There’s a reason Winston isn’t flying up every board. He’s more reactive than instinctual in coverage and can get manipulated by play-action or QB eye movement. While he’s comfortable closing downhill, asking him to roam sideline-to-sideline from a deep third is risky.

His recovery from a partial ACL tear also clouds his immediate impact. He’s expected to be ready by training camp, but with only one full year of starting experience, the developmental curve could be steep.

Kevin Winston Jr. NFL Player Comparison:

• Primary Comp: Kamren Curl
• Alternative: Lewis Cine
• Floor Comp: Terrell Edmunds

Winston mirrors Curl in how he thrives close to the line of scrimmage. He's smart, physical, and reliable in zone coverage with the toughness to hold up against the run. Curl didn’t test like a high-end athlete, but his football IQ and versatility made him a trusted starter early on. Winston brings that same calm, assignment-sound approach with enough length and range to hold his own in various roles, even if he’s not a true center fielder.

Cine is a flashier comp (explosive, fast, and physical, just like Winston) but with similar questions about instincts and deep zone consistency. Cine came into the league with first-round traits but needed more refinement in coverage and technique. Winston shares that high-cut build and downhill aggression, and like Cine, may be best suited as a box safety who thrives closer to the line of scrimmage.

Kevin Winston Jr. 2025 NFL Draft Grade: 3rd round (chance to rise)

If the Eagles want to bet on traits, toughness, and long-term upside, Kevin Winston Jr. makes sense. He won’t fix everything overnight, and he’s got work to do as a coverage player. But if you give him a box-heavy role and time to grow, he could become a hammer in this defense—and a fan favorite by the end of year one.

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