The last time the Baltimore Ravens drafted a Notre Dame safety, they got a game-changer. So why not run it back?
With the 2025 NFL Draft just days away, one name is surfacing as a dream fit for the Ravens: Xavier Watts, the hard-hitting, ball-hawking safety out of Notre Dame. Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton didn’t hesitate to name him Baltimore’s ideal pick, citing his versatility, toughness, and the potential to pair with a very familiar face.
And that’s where this gets fun. Because the Ravens already have one former Irish star patrolling the back end—and Kyle Hamilton hasn’t just lived up to the hype.
He’s helped redefine what Baltimore’s defense looks like. The idea of pairing Hamilton with another Notre Dame standout, one with instincts and physicality to spare? That’s the kind of move that could send this secondary into a whole new stratosphere.
Xavier Watts could be Baltimore’s next Notre Dame draft gem
There’s no need to overthink this. Watts fits the Ravens’ style like a glove. He hits like a truck, tracks the ball like a wide receiver, and plays with the kind of edge you expect from someone in black and purple. Moton lays it out clearly:
“The Baltimore Ravens should be eyeing a versatile rookie defensive back who can fill the same spots as Washington and offer more upside. Xavier Watts fits the bill. At Notre Dame, Watts saw extensive action at both safety spots and in the slot. Over the last two years, he developed into a true ball hawk, snagging 13 interceptions. Though his coverage ability stands out, the thick-framed 6’0”, 203-pounder can also thump in the box. He would reinforce the Ravens’ physical playing style.”
It only gets better. Watts and Hamilton already know each other’s games well:
“Watts and Kyle Hamilton didn’t play together as starters at Notre Dame, but the Ravens could reunite the two as a dynamic safety duo in the pros.”
Watts racked up a career-high 82 tackles and six picks last year after leading the nation in interceptions the season before. He’s not the fastest safety in the class, but his motor, intensity, and instincts jump off the tape. He plays fast. He hits hard. And he knows how to find the football.
And here’s the kicker—Watts could be available at No. 59. That’s a dream scenario for a team looking to reload its secondary after giving up the second-most passing yards in the league last year. Add in the Notre Dame chemistry, and Baltimore’s looking at a plug-and-play contributor who could take the secondary from solid to scary.
We've seen former college teammates thrive together on the NFL field, who's to say this one won't be just as impactful?