The New York Giants’ secondary was among their many weaknesses in their failed 2024-25 season. As the Giants hope to bounce back from their 3-14 finish in the upcoming 2025 campaign, added talent to their defensive backfield will be a priority.
With the NCAA CFP National Championship kicking off on Monday night, the Giants will want to keep an eye on some of the top players competing between Notre Dame and Ohio State. Among them is an intriguing, physical safety prospect that the Giants could target on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Giants could target Notre Dame S Xavier Watts on Day 2 of the NFL Draft
Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts will be among the top prospects competing in the National Championship on Monday night. The 5-foot-11, 199-pound defensive back has been a key member of the Fighting Irish defense, helping propel their unit through the College Football Playoffs.
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In 2024, Watts led the FBS independent schools with six interceptions and 136 interception return yards. He also totaled 74 combined tackles, nine pass defenses, three tackles for loss, one pick-six, and one forced fumble, and was named an All-American for the second season in a row.
The season prior, Watts led the nation with seven interceptions. The 23-year-old is a ballhawk safety with the versatility to play both deep and in the box. He plays with physicality and aggression and possesses great ball skills while reading quarterbacks and breaking on errant passes.
Watts currently has a Day 2 projection on most draft boards. He is currently ranked No. 36 overall on ESPN’s Prospects Big Board. Pro Football Focus has him ranked No. 45 on their Top 250 Big Board. The Giants are slated to pick 34th overall in this draft, the second selection of Round 2. With that selection, they could target Watts, adding another talented, young defensive back to the final line of their defense.
The Giants spent a second-round pick on S Tyler Nubin last offseason. Nubin was solid in his rookie season, however, the starting safety job opposite him could be up for grabs with veteran S Jason Pinnock set to hit free agency in March. New York could pair Nubin with Watts, giving their secondary a bright future with two talented safeties and exceptional leaders on the back end.
The New York Giants could potentially revamp their secondary by targeting a ballhawking safety on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft. With a strong group of prospects projected to be available in the second and third rounds, the Giants have a prime opportunity to add a playmaker to their defensive backfield.
A ballhawking safety has the ability to make game-changing plays by intercepting passes, forcing fumbles, and disrupting opposing offenses. This type of player can provide a spark to the defense and help create turnovers, which are crucial in winning games.
By targeting a ballhawking safety in the draft, the Giants can add a dynamic playmaker to their secondary and improve their overall defensive performance. With the right pick, they could potentially solidify their back end and create a formidable unit that can compete against the top offenses in the league.
Keep an eye on the Giants on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft as they look to revamp their secondary and add a ballhawking safety to their roster. This could be a game-changing move that helps elevate their defense to the next level.
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