The 2025 NFL Draft is upon us, and so is your need to be prepared for all of tomorrow’s stars. Dive into our spotlight on Xavier Watts, featuring his scouting report, strengths and weaknesses, his recent draft projection, and where all the experts predict he could land.
Xavier Watts’ NFL Draft Scouting Report
Watts is a versatile defender who displays the ability to play single high, as a split safety, and in the box as a rover. A ball magnet with 13 INTs through 2023 and 2024, Watts creates turnovers at an abnormally high clip.
He doesn’t have elite speed, but excels anyway with his elite processing ability, instincts, recalibration quickness, and fluidity. Watts’ awareness and feel shine on the back end, and he has the short-area energy to plant and drive on the football.
In run support, he’s tough and physical, displaying a quick trigger, comfort running alleys, and tenacity at contact. In man coverage, Watts is competitive with his frame density and movement skills, but can struggle at the breakpoint, and his speed limits his efficacy in vertical trail.
As such, Watts is best in roles where he can play spacing and roam with confidence. In those roles, he has the mental acuity, competitiveness, coverage mobility, and playmaking propensity to be a quality starter.
Xavier Watts’ NFL Draft Projection
In CSN’s 7-Round 2025 NFL Mock Draft from April 12, Watts landed in Round 2 with the 53rd overall pick. James Fragoza has this to say:
Xavier Watts is the ballhawk in the class — he led the nation with seven INTs in 2023 and followed it up with another six picks in 2024, tying for second in the FBS.
And in CSN’s recent 3-Round 2025 NFL Mock Draft, Brian Burden had this to say about Watts’ selection to the Carolina Panthers in Round 2 with the 47th pick:
The productive Xavier Watts gives Notre Dame back-to-back picks in the second round. The 2023 Bronco Nagurski Award winner and two-time All-American was a ball hawk with 13 interceptions over the last two seasons and led the team to the national championship game last fall.
2025 NFL Draft Landing Spots for Xavier Watts
Here are other potential landing spots that have found their way in recent mock drafts:
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Arizona Cardinals
- Miami Dolphins
- Atlanta Falcons
Xavier Watts’ NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 5116
- Weight: 204 pounds
- Position: Safety
- School: Notre Dame
- Arm: 3128
- Hand: 858
Note: Watts did not compete in any NFL Combine drill or testing.
Xavier Watts’ College Stats
Career:
- Games: 55
- Solo Tackles: 117
- Assists: 71
- TFL: 9
- INTs: 13
- PBU: 18
- FR: 2
- FF: 2
2024:
- Games: 16
- Solo Tackles: 52
- Assists: 30
- TFL: 4
- INTs: 6
- PBU: 10
- FR: 1
- FF: 1
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