Safety, Xavier Watts – Notre Dame
I think safety might be a very underrated need for the Chicago Bears in this upcoming offseason. Jaquan Brisker missed 12 games this season, and has had durability issues throughout his NFL career. Kevin Byard had a very solid year, but he’s 30 years old, and on the last year of deal. Xavier Watts would be a hell of a pickup for this defense.
Watts is a converted wide out turned safety, and it’s obvious as his hands are some of the best in the country. He was tied for 2nd in the entire NCAA with 6 interceptions this season, and he also tallied 7 in the 2023 campaign, making him a true ball hawk at the position.
ND Safety Xavier Watts wore a bunch of different hats (CF, 1/2 field, Box, Matching TEs in man) for a stout Notre Dame defense this year.
Couple things stand out on film:
1) Quick transition from his pedal
2) Route recognition/ FBIQ
3) Ball skills (13 INTs, 6 PBUs since 2023) pic.twitter.com/0GHnEoS3mL— Derrick (@Steelers_DB) December 31, 2024
As Derrick points out above, Watts is a Swiss army knife at the defensive back position, and has been used as such by Notre Dame all year. His football IQ and motor are also off the charts, scouts will have a great time watching this kids’ tape. Watts and the rest of that nasty Notre Dame defense, taking on a lethal Ohio State receiving corps is going to be pure cinema.
I have no idea how high Watts will go in the draft, as there’s still so much time for boards to shuffle. However, he is surely a name the Chicago Bears should watch, solely based off his splash-play potential, and obvious passion for the game.
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