Fresh of a national championship appearance, star Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Xavier Watts announced he will enter the 2025 NFL Draft. Watts was draft-eligible a year ago but decided to return to Notre Dame.
Watts added to his long list of accolades by earning a consensus All-American spot in 2024. The star defensive back will likely hear his name called very early in the draft. What teams make the most sense for Watts?
Xavier Watts Landing Spots
Watts is considered a high-floor prospect due to his instincts and intelligence at the safety position. He followed up a seven-interception season in 2023 with six picks in 2024.
Watts brings leadership and high football IQ to a DB room. His skill set should translate well at the next level and will be on the radar of teams looking to add a playmaker to their secondary.
New York Jets
The Jets could look to bolster their safety room with new head coach Aaron Glenn after investing lightly in the position under their previous regime. Glenn, a former defensive back, knows what to look for in ball-hawk safeties. He developed safeties such as Kerby Joseph with the Detroit Lions and values instincts and high-IQ players.
The Jets were once again near the bottom of the league in takeaways and are set to lose safeties Chuck Clark and Ashtyn Davis.
Watts would fit in at a position of need and solidify a strong secondary behind Sauce Gardner and Michael Carter II. The Jets, picking early in the second round, could target Watts there or even look to trade up to secure their next defensive playmaker.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers ranked dead last in the NFL in passing TDs allowed in 2024. Their already weak secondary is set to lose multiple starters to free agency. The Panthers lost Jeremy Chinn last season and have not yet been able to replace him. As they look to build in Year 2 of their new regime, adding a player like Watts could make a lot of sense.
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The Panthers are a predominantly zone coverage team. Watts would be a good fit in their defense and could be just what they need to rebuild their secondary. The Notre Dame DB would be a strong addition to their young core and could help turn around their struggling defense.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals recently announced the hiring of new defensive coordinator Al Golden. Golden had been the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame since 2022. He coached and developed Watts firsthand. Golden often raved about Watts and viewed him as the leader of his defense. Watts’ experience in Golden’s defense could have him be a leader from Day 1.
The Bengals defense struggled mightily in 2024. Despite having a top offense in the league, their defense was the main reason they did not make the playoffs, as the unit allowed the seventh most points and eighth most yards in the league.
In recent years, the Bengals have usually had a strong defense, but the departures of veterans such as Jessie Bates caused a lot of regression. In their secondary, Watts would bring in a strong playmaker like Bates was and could help them get back to where they want to be.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars struggled in 2024. Their biggest weakness was their pass defense, which allowed the most yards in the league. They will be looking to greatly improve going forward and could use their early second-round selection to bolster the unit.
Watts would fit in well and provide what Jacksonville needs most right now. He would give Jacksonville a core piece in the backend of their defense to build around and would be an impactful player as a rookie.
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins’ top three safeties — Jevon Holland, Jordan Poyer, and Marcus Maye — are set to hit free agency in 2025. The team runs two-high safety looks at a high rate and will definitely need to address the position in the offseason. They missed the playoff by one game in 2024 and are looking to contend going forward.
A high-floor prospect such as Watts, who can come right in and produce, could spark their interest. Watts would provide stability in a depleted secondary and would help improve Miami’s defense. The Dolphins have two picks in the top 50 and would be strong landing spot for the All-American defensive back.
Xavier Watts’ 2025 Draft Profile
Watts understands coverages and reads the QB’s eyes. He plays in a controlled but aggressive way, mkaing him a threat to anything in front of him.
KEEP READING: 2025 NFL Draft Ultimate Top 300 Big Board
He brings elite instincts and strong physical tools — good length and explosiveness — and will be sought after in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Strengths
- Ball skills
- Zone coverage instincts
- Short-area quickness
- Twitch and closing speed in run fits
- Arm length and range
Weaknesses
- Disengaging off blocks from larger opponents
- Strength at the line of scrimmage in press
- Stiff hips in man coverage
- Handsy in coverage down the field at times
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