Notre Dame 2025 NFL Draft Preview and Predictions

On Thursday evening in Green Bay, the first round of this year's edition of the NFL Draft will take place, and while it appears unlikely we will hear a Notre Dame name called on that day, expect a solid group of former Irish players to be selected on days two and three.

Photo by The Irish Tribune

Xavier Watts, Defensive Back

Background: The 23-year-old ballhawk will be remembered in South Bend as one of the greatest safeties to don the Irish uniform. At 6-0, 203 pounds, Watts’ intelligence and good hands will be some of his biggest draws as a prospect. As we get closer to draft day, Watts has slowly crept up big boards across the country.

Projected Round: Early 2nd 

Possible Teams: Jacksonville Jaguars (36), Chicago Bears (39, 41), Indianapolis Colts (45)

Best Fit: Bears; With no safeties under contract after 2025, Chicago will need to address this positional issue sooner rather than later. Current starters Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker have issues of their own relating to age and injuries, respectively. Allowing Watts to learn DC Dennis Allen’s defense as a backup behind Byard, Brisker, and Jonathan Owens for one season could ease the development of the safety into a future starter. 

Benjamin Morrison, Defensive Back

Background: The 21-year-old CB will enter the NFL coming off of hip surgery he underwent in October. At 6-0, 190 pounds, Morrison’s stock may have fallen since February, but he still projects as a future starter as he continues his recovery. 

Projected Round: Mid-Late 2nd 

Possible Teams: Miami Dolphins (48), Green Bay Packers (54), Buffalo Bills (56)

Best Fit: Packers; The only proven wide CB under contract after 2025 in Green Bay is Jaire Alexander. Nate Hobbs is another CB under contract past this year, however, he primarily works in the slot. Similar to Watts, giving one season for Morrison to get his feet wet, working behind Alexander, Keisean Nixon, and Carrington Valentine, before moving into a full-time starting position may be the perfect setup for a successful future.

Riley Leonard, Quarterback

Background: The tough-nosed, dual-threat signal caller is unlikely to compete for a starting job anytime soon. However, any team interested in the 6-4, 216-pound QB will be hoping Leonard turns out as a long-term and reliable backup QB option. Recent seasons plagued by QB injuries have elevated the need for a solid backup, most notably in the 2023 playoffs, where the Steelers and Browns were forced to turn to other options, Mason Rudolph and Joe Flacco, respectively.

Projected Round: 4th-5th

Possible Teams: Las Vegas Raiders (108), Pittsburgh Steelers (123), New York Jets (145)

Best Fit: Steelers; The current buzz around Pittsburgh is their current QB situation and if a deal with free agent Aaron Rodgers will come to fruition. With draft day approaching and no legitimate starter on the roster, people have mocked QBs to the Steelers in the early rounds. If that happens, this will likely not be Leonard’s drafted team. However, if a deal with Rodgers finalizes, that will allow Pittsburgh more freedom to explore other positions with their earlier selections. A deal with Rodgers likely will not extend 2-3 seasons due to age, leaving the future of the QB position in Pittsburgh uncertain. Enter Riley Leonard. With only Mason Rudolph under contract through 2026, Leonard could have a real chance to compete for the backup role on his rookie deal. With Skylar Thompson signed for this season, it would make sense to develop Leonard as a passer on the practice squad for a year before allowing him to compete for a depth chart role in 2026. 

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Jack Kiser, Linebacker

Background: The all-time leader in games played at Notre Dame, Kiser projects as a depth LB who can provide impact on special teams early. In the right situation, it would not be surprising to see the experienced LB break out a couple of seasons into his career.

Projected Round: 4th-5th

Possible Teams: Cincinnati Bengals (119, 153), Buffalo Bills (132), Tennessee Titans (141)

Best Fit: Bengals; How about a reunion with DC Al Golden? In Cincinnati’s defense, Kiser would likely be used as the Will or Mike LB. With Logan Wilson under contract through 2027, it is unlikely Kiser would jump him in the depth chart as the Mike anytime soon. There is less certainty at the Will position, as Germaine Pratt is currently set to hit free agency after this season, and the Bengals are limited in their current cap situation. Cincinnati added Oren Burks on a 2-year deal this free agency period, providing the Bengals with a decent option once Pratt’s tenure ends. The addition of Kiser could allow Cincinnati to build solid, future depth at the linebacker position centered around Wilson, and the Notre Dame legend could seriously compete for a starting spot come 2027. 

Mitchell Evans, Tight End

Background: Evans is slated to join a long list of Notre Dame TE alumni to be selected in the NFL Draft. At 6-5 and 260 pounds, the 22-year-old projects to be a backup with plus-blocking skills for his position. 

Projected Round: 5th

Possible Teams: Jacksonville Jaguars (142), Indianapolis Colts (151), Los Angeles Chargers (158)

Best Fit: Colts; The current Indianapolis tight end room is filled with a plethora of average to below-average talent featuring Jelani Woods, Mo Alie-Cox, Andrew Ogletree, Will Mallory, Sean McKeon, and Albert Okwuegbunam. Of this group, Mallory is the only one signed past the 2025 season. For the same reasons, many have mocked Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland to the Colts with their first-round selection. The idea of pairing Warren/Loveland with Evans in the later rounds is not the worst given Indianapolis’ current situation, but it is probably unlikely. If the Colts wait on selecting a tight end and pick up Evans, he could become a real piece for their future starting in 2026 if he can develop his athleticism.

R.J. Oben, Defensive End

Background: The Duke transfer has six years of college football under his belt, making him one of the more experienced prospects in this draft. The soon-to-be 24-year-old projects as a depth option off the edge. 

Projected Round: 5th-6th

Possible Teams: Cincinnati Bengals (153, 193), Green Bay Packers (159, 198), Philadelphia Eagles (161, 164, 165, 168)

Best Fit: Eagles; One of the best teams at developing defenders in the NFL is Philadelphia, making this a premier destination for Oben or any defender looking to improve their game. Following the losses of Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham this offseason, the Eagles will be seeking help to shore up the defensive line that played a vital role in securing a Super Bowl. If Oben can prove his worth, he could see time in a depth role behind the likes of Nolan Smith, Bryce Huff, and Jalyx Hunt.

Rylie Mills, Defensive Line

Background: Mills’s positive pass rushing skills will be the main draw for any team interested in the 6-5, 295-pound DL. If he can develop and get stronger, the versatile defender could make an impact in the NFL as an edge rusher with his length.

Projected Round: 5th-6th

Possible Teams: Minnesota Vikings (139, 187), San Francisco 49ers (147, 160), Miami Dolphins (150, 155)

Best Fit: Vikings; DC Brian Flores makes things happen with his 3-4 defense, and Mills could eventually play a large role in this blitz-happy system. Unlike previous situations on this list, it is a bit difficult projecting Mills to crack the starting lineup anytime soon with key edge rushers locked up such as Jonathan Greenard and Dallas Turner. However, he could eventually earn a rotational role on a defense that is year-after-year highly regarded as one of the best in the league. 

Beaux Collins, Wide Receiver

Background: At 6’3 and 202 pounds, Collins undoubtedly has the size to be an NFL WR. Unfortunately, he had pass-dropping issues all season that could cost the former Clemson transfer from hearing his name called during the draft. With proper development and improved hands, Collins could go on to have a solid professional career.

Projected Round: 7th

Possible Teams: Houston Texans (236, 241), Green Bay Packers (237, 250), New Orleans Saints (248, 254)

Best Fit: Packers; With Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks the only Green Bay receivers signed past this upcoming season, the need for offensive weapons is paramount for Coach Matt LaFleur. It is expected that the Packers will draft a wideout with one of their earlier selections, but the currently bleak future at the position may force Green Bay to take a chance on another weapon in the later rounds, like Collins. If he makes the roster, Collins can climb the depth chart quickly as the Packers currently lack a true star receiver. 

Howard Cross III, Defensive Line

Background: Someone is going to find a diamond in the rough with Cross. Despite a somewhat lackluster season this year, he has all the skills to compete at the next level. Cross’s father, Howard Cross Jr., was a late-round selection as a tight end when he was drafted and went on to have a 13-year career featuring 17 touchdowns and a Super Bowl victory. It would not be surprising to see Cross III have a similar career impact as a possible late-round selection himself.

Projected Round: 7th

Possible Teams: New York Giants (219, 246), Jacksonville Jaguars (221), Kansas City Chiefs (226, 251, 257)

Best Fit: Giants; Like father, like son. Howard Cross Jr. was a 6th-round pick in 1989 by the New York Giants and was a part of the 1990 Super Bowl team. Cross III could have a chance to follow these footsteps 36 years later in an effort to shore up New York’s defensive line. The most notable piece of the Giants' current line is Dexter Lawrence, and it would be malpractice to let the 28-year-old leave town anytime soon. Behind Lawrence, the Giants currently feature a rotation of solid, but aging, interior linemen that will likely not be on the roster in 2027. Letting Cross develop and adapt to the NFL for a season or two is probably the correct decision. The Giants' situation fits this timeline, and Cross could eventually earn a rotational role on New York’s front.

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