2026 NFL Scouting Report: Javon Kilgore

Javon Kilgore, 6-1/210
Safety
South Carolina

Javon Kilgore Prospect Preview

By Charlie Campbell

Career Recap:

The Gamecocks have produced some quality NFL defensive backs in recent years, and Kilgore will keep that tradition alive in 2026 or 2027. Kilgore was an impact player immediately for the Gamecocks and was a freshman All-American in 2023 when he totaled 76 tackles with one forced fumble, one interception, and six passes broken up. As a sophomore, Kilgore showed improvement in pass coverage as he totaled five interceptions with five passes broken up and 48 tackles.

2025 Season Outlook:

Kilgore will see a number of quality opponents in 2026, including LSU (Oct. 11), Oklahoma Oct. 18), Alabama (Oct. 25), Ole Miss (Nov. 1), and Clemson (Nov. 29).

Prospect Summary:

While many teams have downgraded how high they are willing to take a safety in the NFL Draft, there are still some teams that emphasize the position and are willing to target safety help in the first round (i.e. the Baltimore Ravens). Kilgore will have interest for teams looking for a safety upgrade, as he has a quality skill set for the NFL with size, speed, and athleticism. If Kilgore continues to develop, he could be a draft riser and receive starter grades from the scouting community.

In pass coverage, Kilgore is a skilled zone corner who uses his speed to eat up a lot of ground. He has good instincts and vision to put him around the ball and disrupt passing lanes. His recognition and instincts put him around the ball and led to him being in position for his impressive interception total in 2024. Kilgore is dangerous in zone in the short to intermediate part of the field, and he has the athleticism to play some man coverage on tight ends.

In the ground game, Kilgore attacks the ball carrier and does not show any hesitancy to come downhill to make a tackle. Kilgore’s tackling is at a good starting point as he does look to wrap up the legs and not go for a bone-rattling hit without wrapping up the ball carrier. Kilgore has solid size and strength to contribute to run defense in the NFL.

As a junior, it will be interesting to see if Kilgore is used as a deep free safety more. With Nick Emmanwori in the NFL, Kilgore could be utilized and tested more as the deep single high free safety. Showing the ability to be a deep free safety and not just a strong safety will make Kilgore more valuable for the NFL as he could be an interchangeable safety that plays both spots and can switch between strong and free pre-snap or post-snap. It would also help Kilgore to show man coverage skills on slot receivers, as pro teams like their safeties to have that kind of ability.

Entering the 2025 season, Kilgore looks like he has the potential to be a starting strong safety in the NFL.