NFL Draft experts predict where Notre Dame football's Benjamin Morrison, Xavier Watts land on Day 2
The first night of the 2025 NFL Draft has come and gone, and Notre Dame football’s top two prospects, cornerback Benjamin Morrison and safety Xavier Watts, still remain on the board. But not for long.
NFL Draft experts expect Morrison and Watts to both hear their names called on Friday night in either the second or third rounds of the NFL Draft. Here is where they predicted the former Fighting Irish defensive backs to land.
Cornerback Benjamin Morrison
The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner — No. 90, Los Angeles Rams
Bleacher Report — No. 40, New Orleans Saints
Athlon Sports’ Luke Easterling — No. 54, Green Bay Packers
NFL.com’s Eric Edholm — No. 64, Philadelphia Eagles
If there’s a team that can — and would — take a risk on a top-50 talent with injury questions such as Morrison, it’s the Eagles.
SI’s Daniel Flick —No. 54, Green Bay Packers
The Packers snapped their streak of not taking receivers in the first round, bypassing corner. Morrison has first-round talent—he’s loose, fluid and productive, and was a projected first-round pick before a hip injury cost him the second half of the 2024 season.
NBC Sports’ Eric Froton — No. 46, Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons)
ESPN’s Matt Miller — No. 47, Arizona Cardinals
Checking off needs on defense for coach Jonathan Gannon should be Arizona’s priority in this draft. Morrison had first-round tape before missing most of the 2024 season with a hip injury that some teams have flagged as problematic.
USA Today’s Ayrton Ostly — N/A
Pro Football Focus — No. 37, Las Vegas Raiders
Morrison is a smart, smooth-moving man coverage cornerback with good instincts for making plays on the ball. Getting back to form after hip surgery and getting a bit stronger are the keys to a future starting outside cornerback role in a man coverage system — but really any system.
CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso — No. 49, Cincinnati Bengals
If the hip injury is cleared, Morrison can be the steal of the second round for the Bengals because of his man-coverage chops.
Fox Sports’ Carmen Vitali — No. 43, San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers probably wanted a crack at Mason Taylor with George Kittle’s contract in question, but they instead continue to get younger defensively. They’re going to need it if they’re planning on paying Brock Purdy.
Safety Xavier Watts
The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner — No. 57, Carolina Panthers
Edge also should be a Day 2 priority for Carolina, but safety is a need right now — there are just three true safeties on the roster. Watts, a former receiver and linebacker with a great eye for the football, could fit nicely next to new addition Tre’von Moehrig.
Bleacher Report — No. 53, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Athlon Sports’ Luke Easterling — No. 49, Cincinnati Bengals
NFL.com’s Eric Edholm — No. 49, Cincinnati Bengals
Offensive guard remains a need in Cincinnati, but new DC Al Golden gets his former Notre Dame free safety to bolster the Bengals’ secondary.
SI’s Daniel Flick — No. 49, Cincinnati Bengals
An ultra-productive ballhawk with range and instincts, Watts gives Cincinnati the playmaker its back line desperately needs.
NBC Sports’ Eric Froton — No. 61, Washington Commanders
ESPN’s Matt Miller — No. 48, Miami Dolphins
Miami’s top needs were at cornerback and safety heading into the draft. It went defensive tackle in Round 1 instead, which means it should fill a hole here. Watts is a ball hawking safety who had 13 interceptions over the past two seasons.
USA Today’s Ayrton Ostly — No. 49, Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals took a chance on the high-ceiling, low-floor Shemar Stewart in Round 1. That’s not the case in Round 2 with Watts, who is familiar with (former Notre Dame) defensive coordinator Al Golden from his time at Notre Dame. Watts, a former receiver, is disciplined in coverage with great athleticism and ball skills.
Pro Football Focus — No. 49, Cincinnati Bengals
Watts is the best ball-hawking safety in this class thanks to his intelligence and ability to break on the football. That will have him drafted somewhere on Day 2, even with his tackling woes.
CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso — No. 83, Pittsburgh Steelers
Fox Sports’ Carmen Vitali — No. 48, Miami Dolphins
The value for offensive linemen at this point isn’t there, which is why it was so surprising seeing Miami pass on one in the first round. Here, the Dolphins try to make up for the loss of Jevon Holland.
