Xavier Watts S Notre Dame | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Xavier Watts S Notre Dame
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Man-Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 04/29/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.49 seconds (76%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Man-Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | |
| Last Updated: 04/29/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.49 seconds (76%*) | |
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| Overall Rating: | 87.0 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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79% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 41.8 | |
| Tackling: |
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64% |
| Run Defense: |
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70% |
| Coverage: |
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79% |
| Zone: |
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76% |
| Man/Press: |
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81% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Top 10
Overall Rank:
#37
Position rank:
#9
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| College Games: 30 College Snaps: 1100 | ||
ESPN RATING: 80/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 90/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.7 (93%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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| Cam Taylor-Britt - Nebraska |
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83% |
| Christopher Smith - Georgia |
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80% |
| Kamren Kinchens - Miami (FL) |
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78% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Xavier Watts from Burke High School was rated a 4-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 4-star grade by 247 Sports. Following high school, Watts opted to join Notre Dame after being heavily recruited.In 2021 as a freshman Watts saw action in 5 games and played a total of 88 snaps at safety for the Fighting Irish. He recorded 11 tackles, one assist, while adding 4 stops. In coverage Watts notched up no pass breakups, no interceptions, and QB rating when targetted of 106.3.
As a sophomore in 2022 he played in 12 games and logged 304 snaps for the Fighting Irish. He made 28 tackles, 9 assists, and had 13 stops. In coverage he totaled one pass breakup, no interceptions, and QB rating when targetted of 65.0.
In 2023 as a junior Watts played in 13 games and contributed on 708 snaps. He chalked up 44 tackles, 12 assists, and added 18 stops. In the secondary Watts forced 3 pass breakups, an outstanding 7 interceptions, and gave up an elite QB rating when targetted of 37.8.
Honors & awards
- 2023 Bronko Nagurski Award
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Watts has good size and is a fluid mover, capable of mirroring quickness underneath
- In the run game, he’s aggressive coming downhill and a sure tackler.
- Aware in the red zone, stays on the back line to take away fade throws. Capable of making quarterbacks pay for late throws.
- Great on route recognition and has click-and-close ability
- He’s physical at the line of scrimmage, showing unexpected power in his hands.
- Flashes good ball skills. Watts has the fluidity and change-of-direction ability to mirror quicker receivers underneath.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Has tense ankles and hips with choppy footwork when attempting to redirect and doesn't always look natural changing directions.
- Watts gets beat over the top too often, and Watts tends to panic and get too handsy when running downfield.
- He’ll draw plenty of flags early on with his playing style. Watts is hesitant when facing the action in zone coverage.
How other scouting services rate Xavier Watts (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
43.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
9.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.