Notre Dame 2025 NFL Draft Picks: How Do They Fit?

The 2025 NFL Draft has concluded, and six Notre Dame players were selected. They will now begin the process of finding their place on the roster, while showing coaches what they offer to their new franchises.

Photo by The Irish Tribune

Benjamin Morrison - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - CB

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Morrison with the 53rd pick in the second round. Due to injury concerns, his draft stock fell throughout the process, making him a risky first-round pick. Tampa is a perfect fit for Morrison, and if he can remain healthy, the Buccaneers have themselves a steal in the second round. The Buccaneers' secondary was solid last season, but it was still in need of some youthful talent to help bolster the room. Their offense is loaded with talent, so it is also not surprising that they went defense with one of their early picks. Morrison will immediately elevate the secondary, as he possesses the pedigree of a first round selection. The main question with this pick is Morrison's health. If he's healthy, the Buccaneers likely have a long-term starter that they can rely on to lock down the opposing offense's main target. If not, it will hinder the ceiling he can reach.

Xavier Watts - Atlanta Falcons - Safety

The other cornerstone of Notre Dame's secondary also found a new home this draft, even if it took a little longer than some had thought. Watts is a highly decorated college player who has earned All-American honors, impressive career stats, and even won the Nagurski Award. Watts was predicted to go in the second round or early third round, but he ended up dropping to the late third round to the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons are a perfect landing spot for Watts. He will have a chance to see playing time immediately this season and will be able to learn under veteran safety Jessie Bates III. Together, they could form a formidable duo in Atlanta. Watts and Bates III have some similar qualities, hopefully making the transition to the next level smoother than anticipated. The Falcons did a lot in this draft to improve the defense, and with Watts, they are getting a great decision-maker and solid tackler who has a real knack for taking the ball away.

Jack Kiser - Jacksonville Jaguars - LB

Kiser became the third Notre Dame defender off the board when the Jacksonville Jaguars selected him with the 107th pick. Kiser has played a lot of football throughout his playing career, spending six years at Notre Dame. The Jaguars are hoping that experience translates on the field, but also in the locker room. Kiser is a born leader who will be a bonus to the well-being of the locker room, an underrated aspect of drafting players. Kiser will immediately be a hard-working, smart, and instinctive player on defense and a willing participant on special teams. Kiser brings a lot of the unseen intangibles to any team he's on, and the Jaguars will benefit from that immediately.

Rylie Mills - Seattle Seahawks - DT

Sticking to the trend on defense, Rylie Mills was the next Notre Dame player taken in the draft. The Seattle Seahawks selected Mills with the 142nd pick in the fifth round. Mills' draft stock likely fell due to the knee injury he suffered in Notre Dame's first-round playoff game against Indiana. The Seahawks were an average overall defense with an above-average sack total in the 2024 season. Their defensive line is solid, with players like DeMarcus Lawrence, Jarran Reed, and Leonard Williams. Although these players are quality veterans, they are all on the wrong side of 30. Mills offers to be a part of the future of this defensive line, especially with his ability to rush the quarterback from the inside, a skillset that every NFL team values highly. The stability of this defensive line will also allow him time to fully recover from his knee surgery, which bodes well for his long-term future. Seattle got excellent value here in the fifth round. Mills is a player who was the workhorse for one of the best defenses in the country at Notre Dame, with a wide array of skills that he can bring to this Seahawks defense.

Mitchell Evans - Carolina Panthers - TE

Notre Dame's first offensive player was then taken with the 163rd pick in the fifth round by the Carolina Panthers. Evans' path to the NFL was a rocky one. He was touted as one of the best tight ends in the country before he tore his ACL in the 2023 season. The 2024 season was a mixed bag. Early in the year, it was clear he was still finding his footing in the offense, but by the end of the season, his flashes of brilliance began to show once again. The Panthers are in desperate need of more playmakers and reliable hands. Bryce Young finally showed promise in 2024, prompting the front office to do all they can to surround him with weapons. Evans is the perfect set of reliable hands at tight end that will make Young's life a little easier. Evans is also a willing and capable blocker. This could give him more opportunities to see the field, especially in multiple tight end sets. Speaking of multiple tight ends, Evans now joins former Notre Dame tight end Tommy Trimble on the Panthers.

Riley Leonard - Indianapolis Colts - QB

Riley Leonard was the last Notre Dame player selected in the draft, going to the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round. Leonard won't have far to travel, as South Bend is just a few hours north of Indianapolis. Leonard will always be remembered at Notre Dame for conducting their magical run to the National Championship. The Colts' QB room is already a little busy going into the 2025 season. Anthony Richardson is presumed to be the starter, but his role has been a bit shaky ever since the 2024 season. This offseason, the Colts also brought in Daniel Jones, who was let go from the Giants towards the end of last season. Jones failed as a starter but may not be a terrible backup option for the Colts. This puts Leonard as the third option. He offers a lot of the same things Richardson and Jones do, but lacks the same experience as the others. Leonard brings toughness, leadership, and athleticism to the Colts, which are all things that every team needs at the NFL level.

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