Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts is a converted wide receiver so it’s no shock he was second in the nation in interceptions this year with six, and leader in 2023 with seven. The consensus All-American received the 2023 Bronko Nagurski Award for the nation’s top defensive player. Watts has great ball skills and hands, and his quick transition to become a productive safety demonstrates his smarts and football IQ.
Position: Safety/Slot
Projected round: 2nd
Height: 6’0
Weight: 203
Fit for Miami
The Dolphins had poor safety play in 2024 and both Jevón Holland and Jordan Poyer are set to become free agents in March. Even depth defensive back and special teamer Elijah Campbell could hit the market this offseason, so Miami must circle safety as a top need.
Watts could be a potential replacement for Holland, should the fourth-year veteran find riches elsewhere.
The Notre Dame captain is a top three or four safety in this class, so if Miami passes on Georgia’s Malaki Starks at No. 13 overall, he could be the team’s solution on the back-end.
Notre Dame S Xavier Watts in the last two seasons:
🍀 10 interceptions
🍀 0 TDs allowed
🍀 26.8 passer rating allowed pic.twitter.com/yhPINs7Wk9— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) November 4, 2024
Bottom line
Watts could be a solid pick as well as an economic solution for general manager Chris Grier at the safety position. Not paying top dollar to keep Holland could give Miami the ability to address other needs.
Watts has the leadership, ball-hawking skills, and physicality Miami needs. The Dolphins had just 10 interceptions in 2024, and their leader in the statistic was linebacker Tyrel Dodson, who wasn’t even on the roster at the start of November. In fact, no safety recorded an interception for Miami this season, and the group had just one sack.
While still a work in progress at the position, Watts has ball skills as well as work at linebacker on his collegiate résumé. He could be an immediate impact player deep in the secondary, up in slot duties, and against the run. Watts is a potential captain-type player with game-changing ability.
