Most projections have put Winston as an early second-round selection with the possibility to sneak into the first round.
Kennedy Winston will be watching along with his family on Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. (CT) on ESPN as the draft gets underway. Winston, who left Alabama after his junior season to pursue a professional career, worked out for about 10 teams recently and hopes one of them sees fit to draft him in the first round where he would have a guaranteed contract.
“I’ve been waiting all of my life and it’s finally here,” Winston said in a Monday teleconference. “I definitely want to be in the first round, however, if it goes differently and I fall into the second round I have to deal with it.”
“I talked to all of the GM’s and scouts and they say don’t worry about the mock drafts and predictions and that I’ll be fine,” he said. “I’ve got a good feeling I’ll end up in the first round. I talked with a lot of teams who like me a lot.”
Winston has been staying in touch with Alabama Head Coach Mark Gottfried and Alabama’s assistants, speaking to them several times a week. “They’re hoping for the best and they’re all behind me,” Winston said.
Winston did not participate in the pre-draft camp in Chicago. He said he wanted to attend in order to get a physical but not play. Winston said he didn’t believe not attending the camp in Chicago will affect his status.
“I’m very confident. I think I’ll be selected in the first round. I did all I could do to solidify my position,” he said. “I’m pretty calm right now. It will probably hit me more tomorrow. I’m excited.”