The Tampa Bay Buccaneers utilized the 53rd-overall pick in the second round of the NFL Draft to acquire Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison. The versatile playmaker was widely believed to be a first-round pick. Morrison, however, played in only six games in the 2024 season. He suffered a hip injury against Stanford last October that required surgery. One of the best cornerbacks in Notre Dame history, Morrison did not participate in drills at the NFL Combine. Before the injury, he was widely projected as a first-round draft pick.
Tampa Bay Drafts Benjamin Morrison in the Second Round
Morrison was the fifth cornerback taken in this year’s draft. Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter of Colorado was the No. 2 overall pick. Jahdae Barron of Texas was taken 20th overall. Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston was selected 30th overall, and Michigan’s Will Johnson was drafted 47th.
“I would say he’s a first-round talent”, Mike Biehl, assistant general manager of the Buccaneers, said of Morrison on Buccaneers.com. “The injury certainly factored into it, I would think, for a lot of people this year. We’re just excited to get him. He brings a lot to the table as a player. And again, another high-character kid who will fit in really good in this class with (first-round pick) Emeka Egbuka. He can play inside, he can play outside, he’s got the versatility to play man and zone. He’s shown the ability to play a lot of different techniques, and he should be really good.”
Benjamin Morrison: The Steal of the NFL Draft?
Despite his injury-shortened season in 2024, Morrison still flashed. In six games in 2024, Morrison recorded 20 tackles, 14 solo. In 2023, he had 31 tackles, 25 solo, and intercepted three passes. He also had a team-high 10 pass breakups that year. Morrison snagged six interceptions as a true freshman in 2022. He concludes his Notre Dame career with nine interceptions, 27 passes defended, and 84 tackles.
The Buccaneers need strength at the cornerback position. Morrison fits the mold, and he should be able to contribute immediately. The current cornerback duo for the Bucs consists of Zyon McCollum and Jamel Dean. Injuries tested depth at the position a year ago. Safeties Tykee Smith and Christian Izien are leading candidates to start in the slot, but Morrison could also factor in and see playing time right off the bat.
“He makes plays on the ball,” said Biehl. “He not only gets interceptions, but he had a lot of PBUs (pass breakups), too. Again, a lot of guys can do that when they play zone and they’re facing the quarterback. But he’s shown the ability to be in man coverage and play with his back to the quarterback and still make plays. It’s intriguing.
“I think he comes in and he’s competing right away,” Biehl added. “Whether that be outside or Todd (Bowles) wants to try him in at nickel, I think he’s got the versatility to do that. My guess is that he’ll start outside but I think he’s got the ability to do a lot of different things.”
Bucs Family Ties for Morrison
Morrison’s father, Darryl Morrison played with Bucs head coach Todd Bowles in 1993 with the Washington Redskins. The elder Morrison, a safety, was taken in the sixth round of the NFL Draft out of Arizona. He spent four seasons in Washington (1993-96). All told, he played in 48 career games, made 28 starts, and had one interception. Bowles was playing in his final NFL season that year. Bowles had 15 career interceptions in the NFL.
Xavier Watts to the Atlanta Falcons
Morrison was not alone. His teammate, Xavier Watts, was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round on Friday night. The 96th overall pick joins former Notre Dame teammate JD Bertrand on the Falcons. The Falcons drafted Bertrand last year. As a Falcons linebacker, Bertrand appeared in 12 games and made 23 tackles in his rookie season. He also recorded one sack.
A two-time consensus All-America safety, Watts is a ball-hawking playmaker. Winner of the Bronko Nagurski Award in 2023, Watts intercepted 13 passes over the last two seasons. Watts was rated as one of the top players at his position pre-draft. He was the sixth player taken at his position.
“This guy’s a stud,” Falcons General Manager Terry Fontenot said in a news conference following the selection. “Versatile, all those things, so we’re very excited. We knew he could go before us, so we were aggressive and went up and got him. To get Xavier Watts, we had to be very patient. It was a long wait. We had Xavier Watts up there pretty high. We all like him.”
“Start with the makeup,” Fontenot continued. “Outstanding character, serious worker, competitor, high-end instincts. Former receiver, ball hawk, more picks than anybody in college ball the last two years.”
Final Thoughts
With their skills honed in South Bend, Morrison and Watts look to enrich the defensive schemes of their respective NFL teams. According to Spotrac, the estimated contract value for Morrison is $7.74 million over four years. For Watts, the estimated contract value for being the 96th pick is $5.98 million over four years, according to Spotrac.
Notre Dame last had two defensive backs taken in the same draft in 2020. That year, cornerback Troy Pride Jr. was taken in the fourth round, and safety Alohi Gilman was selected in the sixth round.
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