How Rookie Xavier Watts Can Be An X-Factor

The Falcons were desperately needing depth in the secondary and went with Notre Dame star Watts in the third round. Watts had a very successful career with the Fighting Irish that saw him make the national championship game in his final season.

Watts was an interception machine in college as he had 13 in his final two seasons and won the Bronco Nagurski trophy in 2023. Watts joins a team that has struggle intercepting the quarterback and looks to bring his toughness in the secondary.

Fighting Irish S Xavier Watts

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Watts was a Unanimous All-American in 2023 and a Consensus All-American in 2024, where he was excellent in the secondary, being a threat to quarterbacks each season. He also had a 99-yard Pick-6 against USC.

The Falcons have jessie Bates who has been excellent since joining Atlanta, being a pro bowler and an all-pro as a member of the Falcons and racking up 10 interceptions in the past two seasons. 

Watts will most likely partner with Bates at the safety position to potentially form a dynamic duo that the Falcons desperately need. Billy Bowman Jr. will also join them as another safety and will potentially back up either one. 

The Falcons have been looking to spice up their secondary and bringing in a player who can read quarterbacks in the third round is a steal and can be an X-factor as a rookie. Watts will have some high expectations coming into this team as there is a high chance he will end up a starter, and if he is he will need to complement Bates well.