Eagles Mock Draft: Howie snags safety at No. 32 in PFF’s latest mock

The NFL Draft is now just about a month away. For Eagles fans, it’s hard to believe it’s that close — especially since the season still feels fresh after the Super Bowl LIX victory. Yet, as the big day approaches, mock drafts are rolling in from all directions.

ProFootballFocus released their latest mock draft on Monday. With the recent trade of CJ Gardner-Johnson and some of the moves Howie Roseman has made along his defensive line, PFF sees the Birds bolstering their secondary with the final pick of the first-round.

At 32nd overall, PFF has the Eagles taking Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts.

PFF on this potential Eagles selection:

After trading C.J. Gardner-Johnson this offseason, the Eagles need to fill that safety spot. They do so here with a player who possesses the draft class’ best ball skills among safeties. Watts struggled to consistently finish tackles in college, but his anticipation in coverage and knack for finding the ball are unquestionable.

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Xavier Watts is a name Eagles fans might want to keep an eye on as the 2025 NFL Draft approaches. The Notre Dame safety brings a lot to the table — he’s smart, instinctive, and versatile, with a knack for diagnosing plays before they even unfold.

Whether he’s dropping deep in coverage or creeping into the box to sniff out a run, Watts consistently puts himself in the right spot. His ability to read plays and take great angles makes him a natural playmaker, and he’s shown he can hold his own in coverage against tight ends, running backs, and even slot receivers. For a team like the Eagles, which could always use more high-IQ defenders in the secondary, Watts would be an intriguing fit.

#NotreDame S Xavier Watts

6-foot, 204.

Post/Cover 2 range. Playmaker — with field vision/ball skills. 13 INTs over his last two seasons. pic.twitter.com/RS8H0PfxLz

— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) March 18, 2025

That said, he’s not a perfect prospect. While he runs well, he doesn’t have that elite burst or acceleration you’d want in a true sideline-to-sideline safety. His hips are a little stiff, which can make it tough for him to flip and stay in phase with quicker receivers downfield. And while he’s aggressive and willing to mix it up, he sometimes arrives at the point of attack a little out of control, leading to missed tackles or trouble shedding blocks. These aren’t deal-breakers, but they’re things that could limit his upside at the next level.

At the end of the day, Watts looks like a solid late first-round or Day 2 pick — someone who may not have the freakish athleticism of a top-tier safety but makes up for it with intelligence, instincts, and versatility.

He could contribute right away in sub-packages and special teams while developing into a reliable piece in the secondary. If the Eagles are looking for a steady, heady playmaker who can keep the action in front of him and make smart reads, Watts could be a strong addition to the defense.