Notre Dame S Xavier Watts unexpectedly tumbles down the 2025 NFL Draft board but can help create best ball hawking duo in the NFL
Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, it felt like former Notre Dame All-American safety Xavier Watts was on a strong trajectory to go inside of the top 50 overall selections. He managed to put together two tremendous years of film for the Fighting Irish, finally allowing him to settle in on the defensive side of […]
Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, it felt like former Notre Dame All-American safety Xavier Watts was on a strong trajectory to go inside of the top 50 overall selections. He managed to put together two tremendous years of film for the Fighting Irish, finally allowing him to settle in on the defensive side of the football after being back and forth to and from offense early in his career. During that two-year final stretch, Watts managed to collect 134 total tackles, 13 interceptions, and another 14 pass breakups.
The 5-11, 205-pound defender became one of the very best defensive backs in all of college football. Despite not being an elite athlete, Watts earned a reputation for his outstanding combination of instincts and ball skills. He quickly became one of the more popular safety prospects in the entire class.
That top 50 buzz quickly wore off as the draft moved toward the third round. It felt like Watts stood a top of the “best available prospects” list for some time, eventually coming off the board with the No. 96 overall selection to the Atlanta Falcons. With expectations to go a bit higher, there was probably some level of frustration on the side of the Watts family.
If there was, that quickly wore off after the talented defender officially heard his name called, finally. After the shock and excitement wore off, you can really unpack how interesting of a fit that Watts could be with the Falcons. He will, in theory, be paired next to Pro Bowl safety Jessie Bates III.
Like Watts, Bates also has a tremendous talent for creating turnovers. Over the course of his seven years in the NFL, Bates has managed to record a staggering 24 interceptions and breakup another 64 passes. Bates has been selected to just one Pro Bowl during his career with the Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals, but is widely considered possibly the game’s top free safety.
Watts will be comparing for playing time opposite of Bates with Jordan Fuller and DeMarco Hellams. While they bring experience, Watts feels like he should have a great shot at winning that job. If he does, this safety duo has a chance to be one for the league’s best in the very near future. Expect many interceptions in their future.
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