NASHVILLE – Kevin Winston never felt right during his rookie season.
A third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Winston was recovering from a knee injury when he first arrived, and it limited his offseason work. He missed games on the front end, and back end, of the schedule as he dealt with lingering issues, and some new ones.
Now, heading into Year 2, the talented safety feels like himself again.
"I am super excited," Winston said. "I wake up every day, and just being able to go out there and practice has been a blessing so far. Last year was a lot for me. In OTAs I was in there doing rehab, and all I wanted to do was be on the grass. So, it is amazing, being able to be out there with my teammates and build a bond with my teammates."
Winston ended up playing in 10 games last season, with six starts. He tallied 32 tackles, five passes defensed, one sack and four tackles for a loss.
Winston racked up a combined 18 tackles in back-to-back games vs Seattle and Jacksonville, but he admits he never really felt like himself.
"Everything that I was learning, was in a game," he said. "We went over things in practice, but the majority of what I was going through when I got beat or when things happened was in the game, where now during OTAs, I am seeing things, it is happening now, so I am ready for it when that time comes.
"Right now, I feel the best that I have since the injury, so it has been great."
Winston has plenty of new faces around him, from a new head coach, defensive coordinator and position coach. The team has added veteran faces in the secondary, from cornerbacks Alontae Taylor and Cor'Dale Flott to safety Tony Adams.
Winston, who starred at Penn State before his season-ending injury 2024, said he likes the new additions, and the vibe around the team.
Winston spent the early part of the offseason in Dallas, focusing on his body, from his hamstring to his hips, to his movement.
He's expecting his improved health, and experience, to pay dividends this fall.
"I expect a major leap from myself," Winston said. "Not just on the field, but as a teammate, as a leader. And that's the biggest focus right now. Right now, that leap will come from me focusing on the day in and day out, and each day taking a step."
