Target Xavier Watts
April 18th, 2025
Notre Dame S Xavier Watts.
Sometimes, the PFF tribe will actually demonstrate they may know what they are doing.
Earlier today, Joe offered a piece from Ben Solak of BSPN where he said the Bucs need to “pour” their secondary with draft selections next weekend. Joe concurs.
But Mason Cameron of the PFF tribe has a more direct suggestion. Target Notre Dame ballhawk Xavier Watts.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Prospect to target: S Xavier Watts, Notre DameWatts profiles as the best ball-hawking safety in the nation after securing the most interceptions (13) in college football across the past two seasons. He was a staple in Notre Dame’s single-high scheme and would free up Antoine Winfield Jr. to play closer to the line of scrimmage, where he excels.
Here is how veteran NFL reporter Bob McGinn, now typing for “Go Long” Substack, collected intel from NFL sources regarding Watts, who is McGinn’s No. 5 safety in the draft.
5. XAVIER WATTS, Notre Dame (5-11 ½, 205, 4.58, 2-3): Led FBS in 2023 with seven interceptions and was second last season with six. “The hands are rare,” one scout said. “He was a receiver coming in to Notre Dame and they moved him. You see that. He takes the ball away. He’s not perfect. He’s not elite. But you’ll love him. I wouldn’t take him in the first but he might go possibly down there (late first round).” Ran a disappointing 40 at pro day. “We had backup grades on him,” said a second scout. “He has some ball production. Just a really good college player. There’s not a big upside.” Started for 2 ½ of his five seasons. “They played him everywhere: free safety, strong, box, linebacker,” one scout said. “He is one of the most sure tacklers in-line. He hits you and knocks you and wraps you strong. If you quickly move on him then you see his limitations athletically. But he plays so under control he stalks you out. Better in zone than man. Really good blitzer.” Finished with 188 tackles (nine for loss), 18 passes defensed and 17 turnover plays. “You can’t argue with takeaways but he had quite the gifts,” a third scout said. “Like he wouldn’t be in position and there’d be a tipped ball and boom, interception. He bites at times and plays a little too aggressive. I wasn’t a big fan of his tackling. He got better this year but still had quite a bit of missed tackles. Fourth round.” Three-star wide receiver and safety from Omaha, Neb. “I had him fifth-sixth round,” a fourth scout said. “Will get involved in run support but has inconsistent attack angles and can go along for the ride. Not particularly strong. He is really smart. Good enough athlete. He will make it to be a good backup and special-teams guy.” Arms were 31 ¼.
Well, Joe doesn’t know about playing Winfield close to the line of scrimmage too much. Yes, he is good there. Plays like Rondé Barber in the forest.
However, Winfield is prone to concussions. And he got his bell rung a few time playing inside. The Bucs need Winfield on the field, not in the dreaded concussion protocol (again).
Joe fears more concussions and Winfield might be done with football.
So Joe likes the premise of getting Watts. But let’s be careful with Winfield playing in the box too much.
Simply eXcellent ☘️
Every @xavierwatts6 interception
The best of Xavier Watts 🔗 https://t.co/tF0E1XXW33#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/4R7fiDa0OE
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) April 1, 2025
April 18th, 2025 at 10:46 am
That speed is not elite at all.
Starks or Emmanwori or wait until the 4th for safety and play Tykee there.
ND plays a weird schedule.
April 18th, 2025 at 10:48 am
Why are we talking about a guy that sounds like he wouldn’t make the team?
“He’s not elite”
“We had backup grades on him”
“There’s not a big upside”
“I wasn’t a big fan of his tackling”
“I had him fifth-sixth round”
April 18th, 2025 at 11:02 am
There’s a couple good safeties
Starks
Emmanwori
Watts
Winston jr
Mukuba
We need one of them.
April 18th, 2025 at 11:06 am
I’d take Starks from UGA over Watts. Starks is bound to have chemistry with Tykee.
April 18th, 2025 at 11:11 am
Stay calm, trust Jason and drink more heavily.
April 18th, 2025 at 11:14 am
Very simple. Todd Bowles has publicly said he wants a ballhawk. And Bowles is crying for picks. Xavier Watts has 13 picks the past two seasons.
April 18th, 2025 at 11:18 am
They are moving Tykee Smith to Safety. We do not need to waste a early pick on a safety.
April 18th, 2025 at 11:19 am
He’s a good one!
April 18th, 2025 at 11:23 am
If I was going to take a safety at 19, it would be Emmanwori. Elite size and athleticism. I feel like Stark is a carbon copy of Smith. Smith is a little shorter but he’s quicker. A lot of things like arm length and hand sizes exactly the same.
So with that being said, I wouldn’t take a safety at 19. I’d go edge /DT. If a really elite CB fell to us, that would be different, not sure any CBs qualify for 19 outside of the top three guys who will go in the top 10-15 pics most likely. You never know who might fall. If a guy like Barron falls, will be interesting to see what we do. If Barron and Emmanwori are both available, hmmm???
Still prefer a trench guy and to pick our secondary guys on day two or three where we’ve had good luck.
April 18th, 2025 at 12:16 pm
Maybe in the 5th
April 18th, 2025 at 12:37 pm
Isas Waxter…Maxen Hook…. late picks if we didnt target those positions earlier.
April 18th, 2025 at 12:56 pm
Not the best assessment. I’m sure there are other safeties with better skills. As they said in the analysis, it’s not so much he breaks on balls and gets an interception. He just seems to be lucky and the balls find him. May be a good pick for depth in later rounds, but we need someone who’s likely to start.
April 18th, 2025 at 1:03 pm
Emmanwori is the guy and I don’t need any lectures on being just a combine player. He is one of the top defensive players in this draft and have broken down a lot of film on this guy. Can easily move to LB if needed. Project him as DRoY.
April 18th, 2025 at 1:16 pm
^You know im there Gip, since October…him or Starks.
April 18th, 2025 at 1:30 pm
That scouting report sucks.
He sounds like a 3rd-rounder at best.
And tbh, it sounds like he wouldn’t beat out Izien or Tykee Smith at safety and would end up being a backup.
Fine for depth, but he definitely does not sound like a starter that I’d want on the field a majority of the snaps.
Picks are overrated if they are gifts and fluke tipped balls, Joe.
April 18th, 2025 at 1:31 pm
No need for a S in the first. The position dictates that. Always draft BPA, you draft today for the next 4 to 10 years. We need LB, CB, Edge and could use a WR. We are flirting with problems if ME13 gets hurt and or CG is slow to comeback. CG might not be the same player after two bad injuries in three years. Even TE, Warren and Loveland are serious players. I know, Cade. I think he’s OK maybe a bit better but I don’t see him as good as Warren and Loveland.
April 18th, 2025 at 1:49 pm
From what I have seen, there are at least five safeties that were mentioned higher up in this thread that could be a starter for the Buccaneers. I would be happy with any one of them being on our team. What we have to do is look at the cost benefit of where they will be drafted.
Starks and Emmanwori both likely go 1st round
The others, Watts, Winston and Mukuba. go in 2nd and maybe 3rd rounds.
If we go Saftety in 1st then we lose out on the better edge rushers or DT and lose out on Campbell.
This means Campbell or Scourton would be the best edge prospects that might be there round 2 and I consider that a dropoff from Ezeirauku or Pierce Jr, or Walker or Green.
My perferct Draft would see best edge or DT available round 1 ( or Will Johnson or Barron if they fall)
Corner round 2 (Amos or Revel even if we need to trade up a bit) Scourton Round 2 if we go Corner round 1
Best safety or LB in round 3 ( Chris Paul, ,Knight if he falls)
Safety perhaps Winston of injury or Watts if he slips
If we go safety then round 4 go LB with Bassa,Barrett Carter
I do nopt see the Value of safety or LB in round 1 as there are still talents we cqan get in the next 2 rounds where the edge dropoff is larger.
April 18th, 2025 at 2:13 pm
did he drop any?
April 18th, 2025 at 2:19 pm
He’s Ed Reedish in his ability to find interseptions. He’d be a great pick especially if he ends up being a 2nd rounder.
April 18th, 2025 at 2:28 pm
From what your saying, this guy sounds like a possible 5th rounder. Maybe 7th. I don’t think we have a 6th. I do, however, love me a guy who can catch a gift if it hits him in the hands. I’m not really “anti-Dean” but #35 couldn’t catch a present if you coated it in pine tar like a “Bilitnikoff special” and slowly lowered it down to him from a drone
April 18th, 2025 at 2:39 pm
Jamaal Deal could’ve caught most the INTs in those highlight reels. Just QBs chucking it up for grabs.
April 18th, 2025 at 2:55 pm
AWjr was only 4.48
April 18th, 2025 at 3:14 pm
Emmanwori doesn’t fit Bowles’s profile for safety or nickel. He will not be the pick. Some fans just look at the player and put zero consideration into if they are a scheme fit. I’m no expert but I know enough to listen to what they have to say.
It’s also annoying, when fans are pretty sure every player you write up is because you want the team to pick them with your first pick.
If Watts falls to the Bucs with their 3 or 4th round pick, he’s still a position of need and he’s the highest player on their board, I’ll be happy with the pick. He’s still learning the position and got a ton of interceptions. That doesn’t just happen by accident. He got a ton to work with.
April 18th, 2025 at 3:19 pm
Zman … ‘We are flirting with problems if ME13 gets hurt and or CG is slow to comeback.’
And how do you think our defense would do if Vea got hurt and was lost for the season? This draft class has some outstanding DT/NTs; this is the year to grab one. Bucs need a Vea clone & it’ll take a high pick to snag one.
April 18th, 2025 at 3:49 pm
Thor Griffith is the top defensive tackle this year I said it!!!—just flying under the radar. You’re right though; he’s the exception to the rule, since most DTs will be off the board early, but he might still be available.
April 18th, 2025 at 4:06 pm
We have enough players that don’t tackle well. Hard pass.
Interceptions aren’t as important as solid tackling fundamentals.
Something Bowles has yet to learn how to coach.
28-27
April 18th, 2025 at 4:35 pm
Got excited early in the article, thinking round 2 pick maybe and by the end was thinking round 4 maybe.
I like the idea of Winston Jr in round 3… maybe slim chance he is still there. If we get an edge or DT and CB in the first 2 rounds, trading up to secure your Safety might not be a bad play.
Bassa or Carter in the 4th, Thor in the 5th if DT wasn’t drafted earlier and another ILB in round 7.
I’m on board with Pickgrin plan if board falls properly…
Edge/DT – 1
CB – 2
ILB/S/Edge or DT rounds 3-5.
April 18th, 2025 at 4:48 pm
Josh isn’t wrong about Thor Griffith flying under the radar. Playing in the Ivy League then getting a year in at Louisville where he hardly got any snaps despite being basically as effective/dominant as he was at Harvard has him primed to be a day three steal for somebody. I’m guessing Louisville was afraid of losing other DTs to the transfer portal and knew Griffith wouldn’t be back for 2025 so he didn’t see the field nearly enough to make a name for himself among this phenomenal crop of DTs.
He is an elite run defender with elite get-off, strength and feet. His height and arms are on the short side but he explodes out of blocks like a missile directly through ball carriers in a way I’ve never seen before. Its like he has some sort of missile lock the way he hits opponents squarely no matter how messy the scrum he is mixed up in. He consistently holds his ground with excellent natural anchor and violent hands and smashes through ball carriers and anyone unlucky enough to be in the way. His tackling is a bit on the wild side but I like that in a prospect and expect it to improve. He doesn’t bend well but is so lightning quick off the snap and has surprising lateral quickness for such a stout fellow that make him a weapon on the inside slants, stunts and pass rush games Bowles loves to deploy. His football IQ is through the roof (Harvard grad Economics Major with minors in Celtic literatutre and languages) and he is a passionate student of medieval samurai tactics and philosophy- his warrior mindet is the real deal. He never saw game action on offense like my favorite DT in this draft JJ Pegues but regularly ran RB drills and out performed most RBs with both his hands and feet.
If the Bucs don’t land Pegues, or even if they do, I’d be thrilled to see him in a Bucs uniform. Those two are on another level of being dynamic weapons due to their combination of mass and movement skills that allow them to line up at 0, 2i, 3 or 5 tech and be effective. Pegues has a more refined pass rush repertoire and bends the edge well enough to abuse OTs as well as OGs and centers so he is my fondest hope for the Bucs but Thor Griffith plays up to his name for sure and will make some NFL DC very happy to have him.
April 18th, 2025 at 4:49 pm
A safety that excels in single high coverage when we constantly have two safties deep. Just get some lock down corners and stop playing soft coverage
April 18th, 2025 at 4:58 pm
You guys don’t get the jist of the Bob McGinn article that Joe is quoting. McGinn interviews a ton of talent evaluators. He writes the good stuff he hears as well as the bad stuff. He finds negatives on every player he evaluates. If you’re looking for a player without negative evaluations, there isn’t one. This includes blue chip guys like Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter.
April 18th, 2025 at 5:09 pm
13 picks is not a coincident.
April 18th, 2025 at 5:28 pm
Exactly Hopein1Hand Pegues. So that said Pegues would be the chess piece, and Thor’s the hammer. Pegues gives you that rare flexibility to line up anywhere and win with finesse, technique, and smarts. Thor just detonates/dominates people, handles doubles teams with ease. If the Bucs land both, Bowles would have a field day moving them around and creating chaos combined with Vea line would go from soft without him too stacked imo….
April 18th, 2025 at 7:22 pm
Yes indeed Josh. I forgot to mention Griffith was a state champion wrestler and I always would draft a wrestler over a comparable prospect due to their beyond advanced understanding of leverage and how to use their hands. I also just now came across an arm length measurement for him. He has 36″ inch arms which is freakish. Almost every scouting report on him assumed him to have short arms and said NFL guards would lock him up because of it but those arms and his 45 last year and 42 this year bench press reps definitely explain how deliberately and timely his consistent disengagement from blockers actually is. I’ll be a fan of both players wherever they end-up.
April 18th, 2025 at 7:59 pm
I completely agree—I’ll do the same. I just really, really hope they’re on the Bucs, or at the very least, not division opponents.
April 18th, 2025 at 8:40 pm
I hope Jason’s D-3 scouts have taken a peak at Northwood University’s Swiss Army Knife. Zachary Polanski plays OT, OG, C, and DT and MLB on defense. And he’s super smart. He wasn’t accepted at Dartmouth because he played top violently. A good UDFA candidate.
April 18th, 2025 at 11:02 pm
Yes, Josh I don’t think it is too greedy to hope for both Thor and Pegues to bring the Bucs D-line up to the level of the Iggles but in a more dynamic style. With both of them on the field in a 2 minute no-subs situation or in Bowles’ Bear alignment with 5 down linemen forcing each opposing OL to go 1-on-1 they’d bring another dimension to the Bucs defense. Gaines and C.J. Brewer are solid and I’d love to see the Ghoul back for one more go around but Vea is aging out at his weight and Logan Hall had a great year in 2024 but let another team give him his next contract even if he blows up. I am a big fan of Harmon at 19 but since DTs rotate out so often I’d rather go for two later talents and maybe take Jihad Campbell, Egbuka or Luther Burden at 19. I’m set on Mukuba as my target safety.
As far as adding the talent to let Bowles add new dimensions to his defense I am thinking adding talent in the middle- ILB, press man ready CBs and a versatile safety are the best early targets. Pegues and Thor can be had late and be cheap going forward and provide absolutely sick dividends on the draft investments.
April 19th, 2025 at 8:04 am
We badly need coverage help in a secondary and everybody’s talking about defensive tackles isn’t that our strongest position on the defense with two stud starters and solid rotation guys. And which one of us sitting in this arm chair quarterbacking room can evaluate elite talent, 7 interceptions next season 6 interceptions sound elite or elitely lucky either way we could use some of that in our secondary. And you’ve got to think this guy’s not coming in to be a corner he’s out there to help corners be more effective. Imagine the quarterback Rush as we can send when Phil Jr and for blitz while having a ball hawk to help back him up. Along with a four that can Rush up to linebackers and are two nose tackles. Maybe there might be a better pic at at the time to pick 19 but this kid watch seems like a player
April 19th, 2025 at 4:34 pm
i watched the film clip on him and im not overly impressed… A couple of plays were totally solid, but most were either tipped balls or poor throws. He was in the area of the receiver, but not stealing the ball…mostly opportunistic ..5th round at best
April 20th, 2025 at 10:06 am
If what I read was most of the way right, I will have to pass because of all the things I read from Bucs fan afterward. I’m not liking him. He’s apparently lacking in a few areas that concern me , if we’re talking Superbowl I don’t think he’s needed. Let’s Go Bucs!!!