Chiefs scouting report: Notre Dame Fighting Irish S Xavier Watts
Chiefs scouting report: Notre Dame Fighting Irish S Xavier Watts
The Kansas City Chiefs didn't re-sign Justin Reid in free agency. The team planned for his departure by adding several safeties through past drafts. However, the team's current options are mostly replacement-level players who haven't earned second contracts yet. Kansas City should target a new starting safety in the 2025 NFL draft.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Xavier Watts earned First Team All-America honors and served as a team captain in each of the past two seasons. The 5'11 3/4", 204 lb. prospect played diverse roles for the Fighting Irish, including lining up in two-high, single-high and off-man coverage in the slot.
Watts is an elite ballhawk. His anticipation keeps him a step ahead of the offense and puts him in the right place at the right time. Watts reads the quarterback's eyes to jump routes or generate pass breakups. He high points the ball and challenges wide receivers at the catch point with excellent timing and physicality. Watts punches through the receiver's hands to knock the ball out.
Watts sees the field well in zone coverage and quickly closes on routes that break in front of his face. His advanced use of leverage to squeeze throwing lanes reflects his experience and natural feel for the position. He relies heavily on his instincts since he lacks elite speed and agility.
Watts makes some nice solo tackles coming downhill to fit the run, but he appears hesitant to initiate heavy contact at times. He doesn't come to balance as a tackler, which leads to him sliding off or whiffing on tackle attempts. He lacks the developed hand usage and blocking shedding technique to quickly discard stalk blocks.
Watts is the top ballhawk in the 2025 class, but his lack of elite athletic traits limits his versatility and ceiling. He projects as a late second to early third round selection, which puts him in striking range for the Chiefs with either pick 63 or pick 66. Watts could become the best turnover machine Steve Spagnuolo's defense has featured since All-Pro Tyrann Mathieu.
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