The Detroit Lions continue to find ways to win in 2024, as the team is 12-1 and atop the NFC North through 14 weeks. Detroit picked up an impressive divisional victory over the Green Bay Packers in Week 14 and will host the Buffalo Bills in Week 15 at Ford Field in a potential Super Bowl preview.

Though Detroit’s offense deserves a ton of recognition for the team’s success this season, Aaron Glenn’s defense has been dominant, especially in the secondary. The unit was a glaring weakness last year but is now one of the Lions’ biggest strengths, and the safety duo of Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are the engines of the back end for Detroit.

Branch and Joseph are arguably the best safety duo in the NFL, and both could be All-Pro selections this season. But the College Football Network’s Cam Mellor predicts the Lions will add to the position and select Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Making the climb into the Round 1 discussion, the Lions nab Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts. A true free safety with the ability to also play near the line of scrimmage, Watts is a ball-hawking menace of opposing offenses.

Watts can move incredibly well in space and close the gap on any opposing offense. He’ll come downhill in run defense all the same and has a mean streak about him when doing so.

Watts has been one of the best safeties in college football over the last two seasons, snagging 12 interceptions and posting 29 defensive stops since 2023. The Nebraska native is allowing just a 53.6% completion rate this year and a 30.4 passer rating when targeted.

Though the Lions are unlikely to take a safety in the first round, Watts’ versatility could entice general manager Brad Holmes, as the senior is primarily a free safety but has also played a plethora of snaps in the slot and the box.

With Detroit boasting one of the deepest rosters in football, the team could just take the best available player when it’s on the clock in Round 1 in April instead of prioritizing a need.

Xavier Watts is one of the most talented defensive backs in the 2025 draft class and could serve as a Swiss Army knife in Glenn’s defense, as well as a potential future replacement for Joseph if he decides to leave in free agency down the road.