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Round 2, #41 Overall — Xavier Watts, Safety, Notre Dame
The Chicago Bears signed Kevin Byard in 2024. While he did not have a bad season, it was not one of his best. At age 32, it seems his best days are behind him. He could be at the edge of a cliff, ready to take a deep fall. Furthermore, if the Bears part ways with Byard it gives them $7 million in cap relief.
In order to avoid a Byard drop, Poles could select Xavier Watts.
Watts comes out of Notre Dame so he played nearby. He gives the Bears a lot of flexibility, with his ability to play single high, split safety, and down in the slot. He is a ball magnet in the same vain as Byard and Eddie Jackson before him. In the past two seasons, he led the nation in interceptions with 13 and interception yards with 273.
Watts’ ability to create turnovers impacts the game. He can step up and turn things around if needed. However, his open field tackling is suspect. The 6 foot, 204 pounder has good size but he is sometimes too aggressive, which puts him out of position. He does a good job of providing run defense, however. That, and being a turnover machine can make up for that, though.
Watts was one of the leaders on the Notre Dame team in 2024. He felt the experience he gained in his final year prepared him to succeed at the next level.
Just coming into this season, especially being a captain, it really forced me to be out there and be a true leader, especially as one of the veteran guys back there,” Watts said. “It really prepared me for this next level, because at the next level you gotta talk, you gotta be a communicator, you gotta be very mature. So, this season I’m glad I came back and was able to do that.
Watts is a great back-end defender with great awareness and feel. He has great instincts which help him be a huge ball magnet.
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