Terry Joseph is one of the many new additions to this year's revamped New Orleans Saints coaching staff. Most of the new coaches on the defensive side have the majority of their coaching experience at the collegiate level.
Joseph, 51, fits that profile. In fact, this is the first NFL job of his 19-year coaching career. He'll be the Saints defensive passing game coordinator this season.
Joseph's last two stops were with the Texas Longhorns from 2021 to 2024 and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 2018 to 2020. He was the secondary coach and defensive passing game coordinator for both programs.
This is noteworthy because four of the top defensive backs in the 2025 NFL Draft are players that Joseph either coached directly or recruited heavily. New Orleans comes into this year's draft needing upgrades at both cornerback and safety.
Here are four defensive backs that the Saints could target in the first few rounds of the draft, partly because of their ties to Terry Joseph.
Jahdae Barron, CB (Texas)
Over the last three years with the Longhorns, Barron intercepted eight passes, broke up 24 others, and had 21 tackles for loss. His 5 interceptions last season led the SEC and resulted in 1st Team All-American honors and the 2024 Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back.
Listed at 5'11" and 194-Lbs., Barron has a physical style of play ideal for press coverage and the athleticism to stay with any receiver all over the field. He has elite route recognition and breaks on the ball that allows him to be equally effective in man coverage or zone duties.
Barron didn't play a lot of man at Texas, so may take his lumps early against precise route runners. His aggressive mentality could also make him vulnerable to double moves and pump fakes or misdirection.
Barron could be the second corner off the board and almost certainly won't make it out of the first round. He has the traits of a top-tier corner with the physicality and versatility to be a cover safety in some schemes.
Xavier Watts, S (Notre Dame)
Watts has been one of the nation's most underrated defenders the last two years for a Fighting Irish team that surprisingly advanced to the National Championship Game this season. Over those two years, he has an eye-popping 13 interceptions and incredible 273 return yards. Last season, he picked off six passes and added four stops for loss among his 82 total tackles.
Most consider Watts to be the second-rated safety in this draft behind only Malaki Starks of Georgia. He has the versatility to cover the slot but is projected more as a traditional deep safety who will line up all around a defensive formation.
Watts shows terrific play recognition against both the pass and run. His instincts and anticipation make him a potential immediate impact starter. Stiff change-of-direction may make him vulnerable to shifty slot receivers, but he otherwise offers the versatility to line up anywhere in a defensive formation.
A three-year starter, Watts shows incredible instincts to go along with good athleticism for tremendous range. He'd be a major upgrade for a safety spot that performed extremely poorly for the Saints over the last two seasons.
Benjamin Morrison, CB (Notre Dame)
During a three-year career with the Fighting Irish, Morrison intercepted 9 throws while breaking up 19 others. His 6 picks in 2022 and his 10 pass breakups in 2023 both ranked among the best in the nation.
At 6'0" and 194-Lbs., Morrison posseses the size, speed, and leaping ability to match up with any pass catcher. Most effective as an outside corner, he may not have the quick feet or agility to consistently be effective in man coverage roles.
Where Morrison is most dangerous to opposing offenses is in off-ball coverage. He has an outstanding close on the ball and the route recognition to give him an extra jump. He'll bait quarterbacks like a seasoned Pro Bowler and has enough speed to prevent him from being beaten over the top.
It's a stretch to see Morrison going in the first round. However, he'll be one of the first defensive backs off the board in Day 2. In a predominantly zone or off-ball scheme, Morrison has game-breaking potential with the floor of being a solid and dependable starter.
Andrew Mukuba, S (Texas)
After three good seasons for the Clemson Tigers in the ACC, Mukuba had a breakout year after transferring to Texas in 2024. He broke up seven passes, had four tackles for loss, with his 5 interceptions tying him with Longhorns teammate Jahdae Barron for best in the SEC.
Mukuba plays with tremendous instincts and anticipation. His experience as a four-year starter also gives him the confidence to take measured gambles against offenses. He has the agility to cover the slot but is especially effective as a deep safety or in off-ball coverage with the physicality to play the running game well.
Listed at 5'11" and 186-Lbs., Mukuba is undersized for the position. This could give him problems against bigger NFL tight end that can match him athletically. This also limits him as an in-the-box defender, especially against heavy fronts.
Mukuba could come off the board as early as the middle of Day 2. His instincts and range give him the upside of an above average starter with the floor of being a solid contributor in nickel packages.
Terry Joseph coached Barron for all four of his years with Texas and Mukuba in his final collegiate season. Joseph coached Watts for only his freshman year at Notre Dame and didn't coach Morrison at all. However, he was undoubtedly a part of recruiting both players to the program.
The Saints have signed S Justin Reid and CB Isaac Yiadom in free agency, but have also lost CB Paulson Adebo and S Will Harris. New Orleans is expected to bolster their defensive backfield in the draft. Don't be surprised if collegiate connections to one of their newest coaches helps them accomplish it.
