XAVIER WATTS | Round 3, Pick 96
Watts’ rookie deal is estimated to be $6.19 million in total value, according to OverTheCap.com. He would carry a cap number of $1.12 million in 2025 before topping out in 2028 at $1.97 million.
School: University of Notre Dame
2024 Stats: 16 starts | 82 tackles (3.5 for loss) | 10 passes defended (6 interceptions) | 1 forced fumble
Quotes
General manager Terry Fontenot: “We all like him. Start with the makeup, I mean, outstanding character, serious worker, competitor, high-end instincts, former receiver, ball hawk, more picks than anybody in college ball last two years. So, this guy’s a stud, versatile, all those things. So, we’re very excited.”
Head coach Raheem Morris: “He’s very instinctual like Jessie Bates. He’s not afraid to take those shots and take those chances when necessary. Definitely see the ball off light and come out the quarterback’s hands and do some of those things really well. So, we have all those things and that’s really about it. Really ball skills and ball awareness is what you kind of talk about. This guy has both ball skills and ball awareness, and I think they’re at a really high level.”
Watts: “I’ve had 13 interceptions in the past two years, and it’s not by coincidence. I mean, I have a really good feeling for the game of football, and I’m able to get the ball.”