Xavier Watts 2025 NFL Draft: Notre Dame FS Scouting Report

With the 2025 NFL Draft just around the corner, one free safety that you need to know is Xavier Watts. Coming from Notre Dame, Watts is a productive FS who played football for the Irish. Today, we’ll break down his NFL outlook in this draft report. Additionally, we will be breaking down his strengths, areas for improvement, and his potential draft grade.

Xavier Watts 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

A converted wide receiver turned defensive back, Watts has developed into one of college football’s most instinctual and productive safeties. After transitioning to defense early in his Notre Dame college football career, Watts has showcased elite ball skills, football IQ, and a knack for making game-changing plays. His journey from offensive weapon to defensive star culminated in back-to-back standout seasons. Ultimately, this earned him national recognition and cemented his status as a legitimate NFL prospect.

Moreover, Watts is a playmaker who tilts the field in his team’s favor. His knack for turnovers—13 interceptions over two seasons—makes him a constant threat in the secondary. In coverage, he excels in zone schemes where he can read and react, often undercutting routes or breaking on the ball with closing speed. Against the run, he’s a tone-setter, unafraid to mix it up in the box and capable of stuffing plays at the line of scrimmage.

Furthermore, one concern is his ability to handle NFL speed and athleticism in isolated matchups. While he’s rarely exposed in college, pro receivers with elite quickness could test his recovery ability if he misreads a play. That said, his football IQ and competitive toughness suggest he’ll adapt with coaching.

HT: 5116
WT: 204
40: 4.55
ARM: 3318

Strengths

• Ball Skills: Watts possesses exceptional hands, a remnant of his days as a wide receiver. He tracks the ball like a natural pass-catcher, consistently high-pointing throws and securing interceptions (13 over his final two seasons).
• Instincts & Anticipation: He displays an uncanny ability to read quarterbacks’ eyes and jump routes. His background on offense gives him a unique understanding of route concepts, allowing him to bait QBs into mistakes.
• Run Support: Watts attacks downhill with aggression and physicality. He’s willing to engage blockers and delivers pop as a tackler, often halting ball carriers’ momentum cold.
• Versatility: He can play single-high, split-safety, or in the slot. Watts has experience in multiple roles, including as a rover early in his defensive transition.
• Football IQ: Processes plays quickly, rarely caught out of position. Pre-snap communication and post-snap adjustments suggest he could quarterback an NFL secondary early in his career.
• Motor: He plays with relentless energy. He doesn’t take snaps off and pursues sideline-to-sideline with intent.

Areas for Improvement

• Change of Direction: He shows some hip tightness, which limits his ability to flip and recover against twitchy receivers or in man coverage. Lateral agility isn’t elite, occasionally leading to over-pursuit.
• Tackling Consistency: While physical, he can take inconsistent angles in the open field, leading to missed tackles or extra yardage conceded. He needs to refine his approach against faster ball carriers.
• Man Coverage: More comfortable in zone or off-coverage than sticking with receivers in tight man situations. He can get grabby at the breakpoint, which may draw flags at the next level.
• Experience at Position: Despite his production, Watts is still relatively new to playing safety full-time (since 2022). Minor technical flaws suggest he’s not yet a finished product.

Conclusion

Overall, Watts is a high-floor, high-upside prospect whose intangibles and playmaking ability outweigh his athletic limitations. He has the makings of a long-term NFL starter at free safety with proper development.

Watts projects as a Day 2 pick with the potential to be an immediate contributor in the right system. He’s best suited for a defense that utilizes split-safety looks or quarters coverage, allowing him to play to his strengths as a deep-middle defender with range and instincts. Teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Minnesota Vikings, who value versatile safeties with ball-hawking tendencies, could be ideal fits.

Ultimately, Watts’ ceiling is that of a quality starter similar to a Justin Simmons type. That being a smart, opportunistic, and impactful player in the turnover game. Additionally, he could become a Pro Bowl-caliber player if he refines his man coverage and tackling angles. Worst case, he’s a high-end backup and special teams contributor early on, with the tools to grow into a larger role. Look for him to be a nice value in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Round Grade: 3rd Round

Stats: Per Sports Reference

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