Dolphins bring another top safety prospect to team headquarters. Where things stand
The Dolphins, very much open to adding a talented young safety or two in the draft process, brought Penn State’s Kevin Winston Jr. to team headquarters on Thursday, according to a league source.
Winston counts among the 30 permitted visits that teams can schedule for players who did not attend high school or college in their markets.
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter projects Winston to go 56th in his most recent mock draft.
Winston sustained a partial tear in one of his ACLs Sept. 7 against Bowling Green and missed the final 13 games last season.
Some teams use some of their 30 visits on players coming off injuries, because medical testing (and meetings) are permitted on those visits. Players cannot do workouts during those meetings.
Winston has two fumble recoveries, an interception, five passes defended, 90 tackles (including four for loss) and a forced fumble in 28 games over three seasons.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein said Winston “has NFL size and traits but is lacking in the instincts and recognition column on the back end. He can cover both in-line and slot tight ends and hassle their catch space. Safeties with traits and tackle talent usually stick around as starters, but Winston might be somewhat limited unless he develops his field recognition enough to handle what NFL passing schemes will throw at him.”
Zierlein cites his strengths as: “team captain with NFL size and long arms.... NFL scouts say he is wired the right way for pro ball... Attacks blocks near the line and spill runs wide.... Closes quickly and snuffs out action when playing forward... Rarely misses as a tackler once he’s in the area.... Frame, length and athleticism to cover all brands of tight ends... Well-timed challenges to contest and eliminate catch chances.”
NFL.com quotes an AFC scout as saying this about Winston: “I don’t love the instincts, but I do love the size and athletic talent. He needs more work, but he’s a Day 2 pick all day.”
Winston, who is listed at 6-1 and 215 pounds, and Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts are two safeties projected by some to go in Miami’s range at 48. It’s possible Winston could be available when Miami picks 98th, though most projections have him going higher.
There are two safeties who are projected to go in the first round — South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori (who was invited on a 30 visit to the Dolphins) and Georgia’s Malachi Starks.
According to a source, the Dolphins think highly of Starks; general manager Chris Grier watched him at Georgia’s Pro Day. But the Dolphins also are bullish on several other players in Starks’ draft range, and taking a defensive or offensive lineman or cornerback at 13 would seem more pressing after how free agency has played out.
Starks had not been invited on a Dolphins 30 visit as of late this week, but the Dolphins often draft players who don’t take 30 visits.
New Dolphins safety Ashtyn Davis indicated recently that the Dolphins are planning to open up the safety position to competition in the wake of Miami losing Jevon Holland to the Giants. (Fellow starter Jordan Poyer was not re-signed.)
Davis, former Lions starter Ifeatu Melifonwu, Elijah Campbell, Patrick McMorris and players added in the draft process could end up competing for both starting safety jobs.
This story was originally published April 4, 2025 at 10:45 AM.
