The Atlanta Falcons made a smart and strategic move in the 2025 NFL Draft, trading up to snag Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts with the 96th overall pick.
This isn’t just a good pick — it’s the kind of under-the-radar move that could pay off big time down the road. Let’s dig into what Watts brings to the Falcons and why fans should be excited.
Who Is Xavier Watts?
Xavier Watts isn’t just any college prospect — he’s a two-time consensus All-American, a rare accomplishment for any player, let alone one in today’s hyper-competitive college football landscape.
At 6 feet tall and 205 pounds, the 23-year-old spent five years at Notre Dame, building an impressive résumé:
- 82 tackles in 2024 alone
- 6 interceptions and 16 passes defended in his final season
- 13 career interceptions, leading all college players over the past two seasons
Watts wasn’t just a stat machine, though. He was a two-time team captain, which speaks volumes about his leadership and football character — two traits that NFL teams value as much as raw athleticism.
Why Did the Falcons Trade Up for Him?
The Falcons saw something they couldn’t risk missing out on.
Sure, Watts doesn’t have freakish athletic traits that pop off the screen. But his football instincts, versatility, and leadership qualities made him too good to pass up. Atlanta swapped their No. 101 pick and a 2026 fifth-rounder with Philadelphia to jump up to No. 96 and get their guy.
It’s a classic move for a team looking for smart, high-IQ defenders who can thrive in a system built on versatility and adaptability.
How Will Xavier Watts Fit Into the Falcons’ Defense?
Watts feels like a perfect complement to star safety Jessie Bates III.
He can do a little bit of everything:
- Play deep as a true free safety
- Drop into the box to support against the run
- Even line up as a linebacker in certain sub-packages
His instincts and ball-hawking ability will allow him to create turnovers and make quarterbacks think twice about throwing over the middle.
Pairing Watts with Bates gives Atlanta two intelligent, playmaking safeties who can disguise coverages and make life difficult for opposing offenses. And in today’s NFL, versatility in the secondary is absolutely critical.
What Should Falcons Fans Expect in Year One?
Watts will likely have to earn his stripes early, contributing on special teams and rotational packages. But don’t be surprised if he pushes for serious playing time by midseason.
His football IQ, combined with his knack for making plays on the ball, could make him a valuable asset in nickel and dime sets — especially as the Falcons look to build a defense capable of shutting down today’s pass-happy offenses.
Atlanta didn’t just add depth by drafting Xavier Watts. They added a smart, instinctive football player who could turn out to be a key piece of the defense for years to come.
